By Amaka Madu.
The need for Stakeholders and parents to join in early detection of Tuberculosis in children has been emphasized as a major tool to eradicate the spread of TB amongst children of 0 to 14 years in Anambra state..
This formed the issue of discussion in a Stakeholders Engagement/Co creation meeting in Awka organized by KNCV Nigeria.
The meeting which focused on the findings of the recent research on integrated approach on case detection in children with unknown Tuberculosis history in Nigeria,which was conducted between 1st December 2024 and 30th August 2025 explored childhood TB case detection baseline and factors affecting poor childhood detection in Anambra State.
The team leader of the research group Mr Precious ILueme who is the program Officer of KNCV Nigeria Anambra State,,while delivering the research paper thanked Global Fund for it’s sponsorship in all it’s TB programs in Nigeria.He highlighted some of their findings at aiming to Determine the baseline of childhood detection among children (0 to 14years),stating that the baseline for 2023 showed that childhood TB detection rate in ANAMBRA was 15percent clinically diagnosed and 85 percent through molecular diagnosis ,showing that the children present classical symptoms before clinicians make diagnosis,while detection rate in 2024 was 55percent clinically diagnosed and 45 percent through molecular diagnosis compared to 2023.
Mr ILueme lamented neglect on early detection of TB in children as more emphasis are laid more on adults and encouraged Stakeholders to join in directing attention to early detection of TB in children because according to him TB is a disease of Emergency as WHO estimated that 1.8 milion of TB cases globally amongst children from 0 to 14 years.,,Stressing that there are some Testing centers in some LGA,”s in the state with fully active testing machines… namely in Awka North,Oyi ,Anaocha,Ekwulobia, Onitsha,Ogbaru,Omor,Ajalli amongst other’s whose screening is free.
Furthermore,he commended the efforts of the State Government in early detection of TB and it’s programs and called for more supports in providing needed equipments in their testing centers within the state as the research shows that community leaders,Teachers and parents are willing to join in the early detection of TB in children.
On his own contribution,The Director public health and disease control in the state DR Afam Anaeme who also represented the permanent secretary ministry of health commended KNCV and it’s partners in it’s efforts to take sensitization process about TB to the grassroots and enumerated different steps taken so far by the state government to reduce the spread of TB especially amongst the children as the WHO has estimated that 70,000 children die of TB annually.He called for more sensitization of TB in schools from the teachers and parents as this will help nip it in the bud.
Reacting,The program Manager ,Anambra state TB ,Buruli Ulcer and leprosy control program,Dr Chukwulobelu Ugochukwu explained that the Stakeholders are at the center of addressing some major challenges in early detection of TB in children as charity begins at home,by being Ambassadors of TB everywhere because if u are not infected,you are affected.
Participants unanimously agreed to contribute their quota in spreading the sensitization of Early detection in children especially from the school,parents and guardians as a way of making their own impact.
Participants were representatives from ASUBEB,SEMA,FORWAN,CAN,MEDIA and others.