2015 World Tuberculosis Day

CHECKING THE MENACE OF TUBERCULOSIS AS THE WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY IS COMMEMORATED TODAY TUESDAY MARCH 24, 2015

Tuberculosis popularly known as TB is an infectious bacterial disease characterized by the growth of nodules or tubercles in the human respiratory organs, especially the lungs. It is a curable communicable infection that is transmitted by inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of a carrier or an infected person.

Tuberculosis (TB) mainly affects the lungs, though it can affect any other part of the body, including the glands, bones, and nervous system. Typical symptoms of TB include a persistent cough that last more than three weeks and usually brings up phlegm which may be bloody, loss of weight, high temperature or fever, night sweats, tiredness and fatigue, loss of appetite, overstayed swellings, among others.

TB is generally caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which could be found in food, water or unsafe environment. The type that affects the lungs is the most contagious type, but it usually spreads after prolonged exposure to someone with the illness. Most times, it is transmitted within family members who live in the same house.

In most healthy people the immune system, which is the body’s natural defence against infections or illnesses, kills the bacteria thereby making the patient free from any form of symptom. Sometimes the immune system cannot kill the bacteria, but manages to prevent it spreading in the body of the carrier; this means the carrier in question would not have any symptoms but the bacteria will remain in his or her body. This mode of infection is known as Latent TB.

If the immune system fails to kill or contain the infection, it can spread within the lungs or other parts of the body, and symptoms will develop within a few weeks or months. This is known as Active TB. Latent TB could develop into an active TB infection at a later date, particularly if the patient’s immune system becomes weakened. It is estimated that, about one-third of the world’s population is currently infected with latent TB; of these, up to ten percent (10%) is expected to become active at some point.

It is important to note that someone suffering from HIV/AIDS or any immune-deficiency disease is at a higher risk of contracting tuberculosis, especially when the person is not placed on a proper diet. Thus, a HIV patient is expected to go for TB test from time to time.

Several tests are used to diagnose tuberculosis, depending on the type suspected. The most common types include, chest X-ray, Mantoux test, urine and blood tests, biopsy, Computerized Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan; and in some cases, lumbar puncture may be recommended. Some of the diagnoses are implored in a case of Pulmonary TB, some are applied in cases of Extrapulmonary TB, whilst lumbar puncture is specifically used to ascertain if the TB has infected the central nervous system i.e. the brain and spinal cord, of the patient.  

Pulmonary tuberculosis is the type that affects mainly the lungs, while extrapulmonary TB is used to describe the type that occurs outside the lungs. Any of the above types has the tendency of affecting the brain or spinal cord of the carrier.

Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a vaccine for tuberculosis disease. Many foreign-born persons have been BCG-vaccinated. BCG is used in many countries with a high prevalence of TB to prevent childhood TB meningitis and miliary disease. Though, the vaccine is meant only for selected individuals who have met specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert. For instance, BCG vaccination ought not to be administered to persons who are immuno-suppressed such as HIV patients or persons who are likely to become immuno-compromised like someone who is a candidate for organ transplant.

In the same vein, BCG vaccination is not meant to be taken during pregnancy. Even though no harmful effects of BCG vaccination on the fetus have been observed or detected, further studies are needed to prove its safety in the body of a pregnant woman.

It is noteworthy that, tuberculosis can be cured. In some cases, the carriers would need a course of antibiotics, usually for six months. Several different antibiotics are used; this is because some forms of TB are resistant to certain antibiotics. If one is infected with a drug-resistant form of TB, treatment can last as long as two years or thereabouts.

Tuberculosis is a contagious air-borne disease. Someone suffering from the infection is not supposed to share household materials like spoon, fake, cup, and what have you, with anyone until he is totally cured. He is also required to always endeavour to cover his mouth with handkerchief whenever he coughs, to avoid spreading the bacteria to his immediate environment or transmitting it to anyone around him.

If one is in close contact with a carrier of tuberculosis, it is recommendable to carry out tests on him or her to see if he/she has also been infected with the disease. These can include a chest x-ray, blood tests, as well as a skin test called the Mantoux screening test. This measure is often significant, so that if necessary, the person can receive treatment alongside the original carrier of the disease.

Today Tuesday March 24, the world over is commemorating the 2015 World Tuberculosis Day. The annual World Tuberculosis Day, which was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and duly adopted by the United Nations (UN), is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by WHO. March 24 was chosen to commemorate the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch astounded the scientific community by announcing to a small group of scientists at the University of Berlin’s Institute of Hygiene that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis known as the TB bacillus.

The World Tuberculosis Day is aimed at building public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease. According to UN, survey shows that in the year 2012, about 8.6 million people fell ill with TB and 1.3 million of the said carriers died of the disease, mostly in the Third World countries or developing nations such as Nigeria.

As the global community marks the World Tuberculosis Day, there is an urgent need for every Nigerian, both home and in the Diaspora, to acknowledge that the societal menace of tuberculosis cannot be overemphasized and that, it is indeed a contagious and deadly disease. On this note, we ought to continually ensure that whatever we eat or drink is thoroughly boiled or washed as the case might be and also endeavour to keep our nostrils away from unwanted environmental particles such as dust and what have you.

Also, we should bear in mind that intake of vaccine, if and when necessary, is a pathway towards embracing a TB-free society. Therefore, government and other health stakeholders should encourage the entire citizenry to ensure that they are vaccinated against TB by ensuring that the BCG vaccine is regularly made available within their reach in line with the Millennium Development Goals.

Above all, we should not forget that this ongoing crusade is a civic responsibility of every sane individual irrespective of his/her affiliation. Think about it!    

 

FRED Doc Ndu NWAOZOR
(The Media Ambassador)
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frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056

 

Vision & Mission: Interwoven Veritable Tools

VISION AND MISSION: INTERWOVEN VERITABLE TOOLS

Brethren, it is true or a fact that everyone was born to win. But we must also acknowledge the fact that for one to be a victor, or a winner, he or she must plan to win, prepare to win and above all, expect victory at all times. It is obvious that most of us are yet to embrace this candid analogy; that’s why we often fail in our respective endeavours.

He was damn scared of hurting his subjects or stepping on someone’s toes; but amazingly, unknowingly to him, he ended up hurting virtually everyone. This is the summary of a true-life story that is not unconnected to one of my friends who happened to be the overall leader of one of the local government councils in my home state, Imo. That’s the irony of life. 

The theme of today’s crusade bears “Vision and Mission”, which I tagged as “Interwoven veritable tools”. This simply implies that vision and mission are two obvious facts that are closely related, and can never be taken for granted. In other words, they are tools that are not meant to be overlooked by anyone provided he or she is sane or in a state of sanity.

Vision, according to the context of this piece, can be described as the mental picture of a certain possible situation that is yet to occur. Thus, if one sees a vision, he/she is imagining or picturing how things might be different from their current states. On the other hand; a mission, based on the context of this crusade, is a crucial task that one willingly or mandatorily embarks on.

The bone of contention is that, both vision and mission are worthwhile, interdependent and inevitable factors that are expected to be embraced by every living soul. Of course it is needless to reiterate that life is all about “Task”. Therefore a life without a task is simply meaningless, because it is only a task that can guarantee victory, which everyone looks forward to.

At this juncture, we sincerely need to take reference from the first paragraph of this piece. Then I ask; how do you intend to grab victory or success if you do not have any task ahead of you? And eventually if you are faced with a task, how do you intend to maneuver it? It is already boldly stated that, for one to win or to become victorious, he must plan towards it as well as prepare for it. Above all, having planned and gotten thoroughly prepared, he must anticipate victory; and this is where prayer and faith come in. Let’s ride on!

Mind you; the intention to win or to grab victory is your vision. Whilst, the plan or onward preparation towards the anticipated victory remains your mission. Suffice to say; a mission begets a vision. Thus, there is no vision without a mission. In the same vein, any mission without a vision is useless therefore doesn’t worth embarking on. There are no two ways about it. This signifies that Mission and Vision are interwoven or interdependent. Summarily, your life journey or odyssey is your mission while your target or foreseen destination remains your vision.

At this point; let’s take reference from the second paragraph of this piece. Beware; whenever you embark on a mission, don’t ever be scared of hurting someone, because for a mission to beget success or to be fruitful, you must surely hurt one or two persons at the long run either intentionally or unintentionally.

The aforementioned phenomenon is not by our making; it is natural. That is where nature comes in; and it is clear that no one can cheat it (nature). Thus, whenever you are on any mission, what you ought to concentrate on is to ensure that you do the right thing; this is where your conscience comes in. Mind you; most times if you are afraid of hurting someone, you would end up hurting everyone.

Frankly, it pisses my person off each time I see someone living without any tangible mission. Funny enough; the mindsets of some of these persons without a single mission are often preoccupied with one or two visions. Then in such situation, you would be forced or tempted to ask; how does he or she intends to actualize the vision in question, or if he/she is really sane. It is absolutely ridiculous for one to be nurturing a certain vision in his psyche without thinking of how to embark on a mission that would instigate the said vision.

It is also shameful to notice that most of our so-called politicians lack vision; this is the reason they invariably embark on meaningless missions in the name of “Life changing projects” all to no avail, whenever they assume any political position. Rather than embarking on politics of vision accompanied by a mission, they would prefer to do otherwise.

In most cases, you would ascertain that the mentality of the said set of persons is sound and high, but their consciences seem to be dead. Needless to say that, their respective visionless attributes while serving in a certain political position is attributable to lack of conscience.

Surely, lack of vision or the nurture of a vision without a mission has really endangered humanity in its entirety, that, if adequate and drastic measure is not taken to reverse the anomaly or aberration, we might wake up one morning to see ourselves dancing to the tune of Makosa music when we are meant to dance Rug & Blues. Think about it!

 

FDN NWAOZOR
(The Media Ambassador)
_______________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056

 

Nigerian Politicians: Wild & Weird

NIGERIAN POLITICIANS: WILD AND WEIRD

Brethren, believe me; you aren’t wealthy until you possess something money cannot purchase. It is Matthew 5:6 that says, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” I want you to note that that ‘Light’ mentioned in the above biblical quote can never be purchased with any amount of money; thus, it is priceless.

Each time I look up, I only remember just one fact; and that thing is that, there is a supremacy that oversees whatever we do here on earth. Therefore that supremacy remains omnipresent as well as omniscient. This singular fact enables my person to beware of anything I do, say or any action or reaction I exhibit every now and then.

I put it up to you that you can never give what you don’t have; apparently, there are no two ways about it. Of course, one only gives what he or she possesses. For instance, if one dashes fifty naira (#50) to a beggar he meets on the street, it simply implies that he had either only #50 or more than that on him, before showcasing such magnanimous gesture.

Without taking much of our precious time, let’s promptly delve into the business of the day. I’m sincerely sorry for the introductory digression, though it was consequential and logical.

Our today’s case study is on Nigerian politicians. Going back to the holistic topic, or taking a second look at it, you would see that I personally tagged the said set of people as “Wild and weird.” Considering the perspective of this edition, a wild person can be described as one who is too enthusiastic and uncontrollable. In the same vein; a weird individual is strange and peculiar, and often comes up with unusual and embarrassing ideas. This implies that someone’s strange nature might yield either a positive or negative change. Let’s ride on!

If you would bear me a candid witness, you would agree with me that it is no longer news that in recent times, virtually all Nigerian politicians have been acting strangely and uncontrollably while discharging their respective political prowess, which make them seem extremely opaque. Those of them who possess such unacceptable idiosyncrasy are whom we invariably address as “Politicos”.

In various quarters, having campaigned vigorously for a certain political position with a juicy, attractive and human-friendly manifesto, if he or she eventually emerges victorious, the drumbeat changes. Yes, as soon as the politician in question assumes duty, the chorus would automatically change. Such scenario has abruptly become a tradition in the Nigerian political terrain, and it is really telling on the citizenry or the electorates in their entirety. This is the weird aspect of their attitude.

Let’s talk about the wild aspect of it. You would hear severally, especially in this era of campaigns and presentation of the so-called manifestoes, that someone, probably a guerilla affiliated to a certain political party, was brutally molested or even murdered by a gang of unidentified individuals. Such absurd, barbaric and inhuman behavior, which is often carried out by fanatics, is invariably engineered or instigated by a politico who is earnestly seeking for a political position and intends to grab it by all means.

Among all, sometimes the verbal antagonisms or the manufacture of blackmails among the politicos end up constituting series of societal menaces thereby making life unbearable for the residents of the affected locality.

This wild and weird attribute of most Nigerian politicians makes them appear childish and irrational. We all know that it is only a child that does not know the value of life. Also, it is only a child that is yet to know the essence of sincerity and transparency; and more so, it is a child or a toddler that is yet to acquire a conscience.

On the side of the electorates; this is the reason we must concentrate on the individuality of anyone we intend to vote for, and also acknowledge fully the significance of “One man, one vote” as well as the real essence of ensuring that our votes are duly counted at the end of the polls. In this regard, we ought to comprehend that we have the immunity to sack anyone serving in any political position that intends to vie for a second term or a different political office if he or she had failed us in the past. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be fooled twice.

On its part, the electoral umpire, otherwise known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should endeavour or not hesitate to suspend or sanction any aspirant or flag-bearer who exhibits any ruthless and preposterous act, or whosoever that possesses any questionable character. The officers and the entire management of the “tested and trusted” institute – INEC, must be ready at all times to protect the interest of the teeming electorates.

Frankly, it is high time we came together to send this set of self-centered and illogical persons packing from our entire political arena; enough of these dastardly and humiliating attitudes of them. Let’s collectively teach their persons that, one can never be counted wealthy unless he/she has what money cannot buy, so that, they would live to let their lights shine before men. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED D.N NWAOZOR
(The Media Ambassador)

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frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056