The Ogun State Government has urged miners and other stakeholders in the mining sector to take advantage of the free tuberculosis screening and treatment being provided by the State Ministry of Health in partnership with the Facility Community-Based Service Delivery Support, FCBDS.
Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Adebola Sofela, made the call during the ministry’s quarterly meeting with stakeholders in the mining sector in Abeokuta on Friday.
Sofela, who was represented by the Director of Exploration and Mining, Mr Olalekan Eniolawun, opined that there is an increased vulnerability to the disease due to their occupational exposure.
He emphasized on the importance of early detection and treatment of tuberculosis, urging miners to prioritise their health by taking advantage of the free medical services.
“I urge all miners to take advantage of this opportunity. You can mobilise two or three mining crews and contact the Ministry of Health’s team for screening. As the Resource person explained, tuberculosis testing and treatment are completely free.
“Please make the most of this initiative and ensure that every miner working with you benefits from it. Take this message back to your communities and encourage others to get tested,” the commissioner said.
In a presentation, the Community Focal Person of FCBDS, Mr Samuel Odunjo, described tuberculosis as an airborne infectious disease caused by the bacterium mycobacterium tuberculosi, stating that Nigeria had the sixth-highest tuberculosis burden in the world, with an estimated 479,000 cases, including about 107,981 undiagnosed patients and approximately 12,000 cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Odunjo
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