DR. SANWO-OLU COMMISSIONS SICK BAY UNDER DISTRICT IV SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAMME
… Advocates Establishment of Tuberculosis Hospitals, Dedicated Centres
The Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has commissioned a new Sick Bay under Health District IV School Health programme at New Era junior girls secondary school, Surulere, just as she called for the establishment of more Tuberculosis Hospitals and dedicated centres across the state.
Speaking further at the event, Dr. Sanwo-Olu said establishing Tuberculosis Hospitals and dedicated centres in Lagos is crucial due to the state's high burden of infection, which is driven by its dense population, urban challenges, and the need for specialised care to address multidrug-resistant cases.
She stated that establishing Tuberculosis Hospitals and dedicated centres will decentralise care and reduce stigma while improving detection and treatment rates. She disclosed that Nigeria is ranked first in Africa and sixth in the world for Tuberculosis, and Lagos State contributes significantly to the high rate.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu noted that Tuberculosis treatment and diagnosis are provided free of charge by the Government to reduce the economic burden on patients, who otherwise might not be able to afford the treatment costs.
The First Lady equally stated that Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, is the National Ambassador for Tuberculosis, while she and other committee members are advocates in Lagos.
She advised the students that if they notice anybody coughing for too long, like two weeks or more, they should advise the person to go for a check-up at the Hospital or Sick Bay, stressing that early detection is the only way to eradicate the disease in Lagos State.
The Principal of the School, Mrs. Omotosho Rosemary, who had earlier warmly welcomed the wife of the Governor, expressed her deepest gratitude for the commissioning of the Sick Bay in New Era Junior Girls Secondary School.
She stated that the sick bay is crucial for providing immediate emergency care, reducing students' absenteeism, and offering a safe, quiet space for students with injuries or illnesses. "It ensures safety through professional nursing staff, helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and offers crucial peace of mind to parents."
Dr. Fadare Folashade, the Medical Director of Harvey General Hospital, gave an overview of Tuberculosis, describing it as a contagious, airborne bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs, adding that it can also attack the brain, kidneys, or spine. He noted that it is, however, preventable and curable, but if left untreated, active Tuberculosis can be fatal.
Dr. Fadare Folashade equally mentioned the two types of Tuberculosis, the Latent Tuberculosis, when the bacteria live in the human body in an inactive state, there will be no symptoms, and the person will feel perfectly fine, and can not spread the disease to others. However, it can develop into active Tuberculosis later in life, while with active Tuberculosis, the bacteria multiply in the human body, making the person sick.
He maintained that people with active Tuberculosis disease can spread the bacteria and are contagious.
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