By CHARLES IWUOHA

The National Complementary and Alternative Medical Association (NACAMA) has urged Nigerians to stop spitting indiscriminately and up their oral hygiene level to check the spread of tuberculosis.

The National President of NACAMA, Prof. Peter Katchy, gave the advice on Thursday in Enugu while speaking with newsmen on what individuals and families could do to prevent the disease.

Katchy spoke on the sidelines of the 2022 World Tuberculosis (TB) Day; which is marked globally on March 24 yearly.

He noted that tuberculosis germs are passed from person to person in numerous ways via unhygienic lifestyle, adding that careless people spit on the floor, in public places, on walks or paths.

The NACAMA boss said: “The germ may be in their sputum.

“Mixed with dust, some of these germs may be blown about and breathed in by the passerby or be carried into homes, on shoes, children play in such a place, soil their hands playing materials and later carry the germs to their mouths.

“Tuberculosis germs may be left on spoons, drinking cups, whistles or pencils which may be taken into their mouths.

“If a cow has tuberculosis, germs may get into the milk. Also if a person with tuberculosis handles milk, it may be contaminated.

“Far more important and dangerous is the direct contact of a person with another who has the disease. A tuberculosis mother who kisses her baby on the mouth is almost sure to plant some of her germs in the body of her child.

“Unfortunately, other members of the household – grandmothers, uncles, aunts – may have tuberculosis without their knowledge and how dangerous it is for them to kiss children,” he said.

Katchy noted that active tuberculosis appears usually within the chest region, although it can develop anywhere in the body, adding that there would be gradual spread of inflammation within lung tissues until large areas are involved.

The NACAMA boss explained that the tuberculosis germs might find their way into the bloodstream and new diseases can spring up in the body as well.

“The sputum of the tuberculosis diseased body becomes loaded with organisms that are coughed into the air and go to infect other individuals,” he said.

Katchy described tuberculosis as one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers; adding that families, friends and neighbours should help any suspected person having the disease to seek quick medical attention and cut its spread.

“I call on the governments at all levels to ensure all categories of hospitals are well-funded and equipped with TB treatment facilities and drugs; while political and community leaders, civil society organisations, health workers, and other partners raise awareness on early TB treatment.”

The World Tuberculosis Day is celebrated to raise awareness about tuberculosis as well as get efforts in order to totally eradicate this disease worldwide.

The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Invest to End TB. Save Lives.”

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