By Lucky Isibor,
The Director of Disease Control, Edo State Ministry of Health Dr. Osamwonyi Irowa has called on nursing mothers to take advantage of Baccilus Calment Guerin Vaccine, popularly called (BCG) Immunisation in order to reduce the spread of the infection called Tuberculosis
Dr. Irowa, made the charge in Benin City, the Edo state capital, when he received a corporate membership award from the Nigerian Institute of Character Education (NICE) for selfless and committed service to humanity through Irowa Medical Centre, Benin.
Speaking against the backdrop of the recent report, that in every hour Nigeria looses one person to the infection of Tuberculosis also known as (TB) is true because, lack of proper diagnosis on the part of the patients if not properly managed can lead to death.
According to him, “Tuberculosis is a chronic lung air borne killer disease that has been in our society for decades, and when you pick out the prevalence and the statistics, divide by numbers of days and months in the year you will be able to work out how many persons died in a year either per day or second”.
Dr. Irowa, who is also the (CEO) Irowa Medical Centre and director disease control Ministry of Health, Edo State, said due to government’s intervention, the disease is no longer as deadly as it was because the drugs are now more effective and available.
“The duration of treatment is no longer one year and drugs are provided in very simple form for people to easily use rather than making it for them to swallow”, the Medical Doctor said .
He however urged nursing mothers to visit health centers rather than going to chemist or pharmacist’s shop for direct drugs purchase.
Earlier, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Character Education (NICE), Chief Eddy Ikponmwen highlighted the reasons for the award conferred on Dr. Osamwonyi Irowa through the Irowa Medical Centre Benin as a well deserved honour.
He said over time, he has been able to stand the test of time, character and otherwise.
According to him, “the non governmental organization has three types of awards, the honorary, corporate and sponsorship award, with aims and focus on modelling character and helping to build capacity that can stand the test of time time.
