From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre (GPSDC) has raised alarm over the incidence of tuberculosis in Anambra State.
The group led by Madam Eucharia Ijeoma Anekwe, the Executive Director (ED) raised the alarm during their advocacy visit to Government House, Awka on Tuesday.
Madam Anekwe while speaking during the visit pointed out that the state recorded three thousand and four cases between January and March 2024.
She appealed to the duty bearers to ensure that the Primary Health Centres in the council are empowered so that they can effectively take care of the TB patients.
Madam Anekwe also appealed for more funding for treatment of tuberculosis patients noting that the fifty million Naira allocated for TB test and treatment is not enough to procure testing machines for the twenty one LGAs in the state.
“While we at GPSDC are not comfortable with the budgetary allocation for TB treatment, it is also to make it public that only one million Naira has so been released out of the fifty million Naira.
“We want to encourage the private sector to invest in the treatment of tuberculosis as well as their medications and feeding. GPSDC in partnership with USAID has been working round the clock on advocacies on TB.
“All efforts must be on the deck to raise awareness on the incidence and treatment of TB, failure to do this will endanger many people in the state,” she noted.
Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Gov Charles Soludo, Hon Obi Nwoye who received the GPSDC officials at the office of the SPAD Political Matters, commended the group for the humanitarian job they are doing.
