By Juliet Nwite
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched a trial vaccine to prevent tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis is a contagious disease that affects the lungs. It can be spread to other parts of the body, including the heart and kidney.
It is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It is estimated that about 400,000 Nigerians suffer from the disease yearly. The disturbing statistics has made Nigerians to demand for more action from government.
In 2017, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says about 10 million people suffered from TB globally which claims 1.6 million lives.
Many Nigerians have welcomed the news of a trial vaccine which the Indian Medical Research is working on.
According to an Indian based online newspaper, LiveMint, the study would enroll over 12,000 healthy household who live with people who suffer from TB.
Balram Bhargava, secretary, Department of Health Research and director general of ICMR said the ultimate goal of the research is to develop a vaccine that can prevent active TB and be a part of large campaigns aimed at eliminating the disease.
“This clinical study in India could help achieve this goal and significantly advance the global fight against TB,” he said.
Ahead of the National Tuberculosis Conference to be held on July 17 with the theme ‘Building Stronger Partnership to end TB in Nigeria,’ Nigerians have added their voices against the scourge.
“Did you know? In 2017, an estimated 1 million children were affected by the Endemic called Tuberculosis and about 230, 000 children died of TB (including children with HIV associated TB),” says @the hilaariousOpe on his Twitter handle.
“Let’s come together Nigerians and end Tuberculosis in Nigeria we all need to be aware, stand up, speak out and let people know Tuberculosis is real, preventable and also curable,” says @Mrfizzy-10.
https://twitter.com/Mrfizzy_10/status/1150751214705020928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwgr%5E393039363b636f6e74726f6c&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fthehilariousope%2Fstatus%2F1150753608402706433.
“Stopping TB requires a government program that functions everyday of the year, and that’s heard in certain parts of the world,” @Futa-weyrey said.
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