TB is not deadly as falsely held by many, it can only be transmitted through sputum and not saliva, and the disease can’t be transmitted by handshake and hugging.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
A coalition comprising Tuberculosis (TB) survivors, members of civil society organisations, lawyers, health workers and journalists emerged on Tuesday, March 29, to fight against the violation of the rights of persons affected by TB.
Aside from being sick, persons with TB are not always allowed to return to their jobs on grounds of being absent during the duration of their ailment, or on the exaggerated claim that they could infect others.
The sufferers may also face rejection, their rights to privacy breached, their liberty curtailed and dignity lowered. The result is that they become depressed and less likely to comply with their treatment regimen which could lead to the more complicated case of drug resistance TB.
The coalition was, therefore, birthed to fight TB related discriminations after members participated in a two-day workshop organized by Lawyers Alert and Debriche Health Development Centre (DHDC) on March 28 and 29.
The workshop had in attendance, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, who was represented by Justice Olayinka Faji of the Lagos Judicial Division, Brian Citro, a human rights lawyer and legal researcher from Chicago, Rommy Mom, President of Lawyers Alert, Deborah Ogwuche-Ikeh, the executive director of DHDC Nigeria, TB survivors, lawyers, health workers and members of the media.
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In his speech, Justice Faji, the representative of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, said even though chapter two of the constitution (which consists of economic and social rights of Nigerians) is not justiciable (can’t be brought before a court for trial), there are specific sections of the constitution that speak about how fellow human beings should be treated, including those affected by TB.
He recalled that between 2003 and 2004, a judge in Port Harcourt gave a ruling in favour of a HIV patient who was dismissed from her job. He said that precedence could be latched on.
Justice Faji also advised those whose rights have been violated because they were affected by TB to approach the courts. He lamented that in the 20 years of his career as a judge, only three issues that touch on discrimination have been brought before him.
The judge also frowned at the attitude of health workers who, instead of providing support and comfort for people dealing with health challenges, end up adding to their pressure.
He said: “If you ever visit any maternity home, particularly Island Maternity, you will find that kind of thing. You will find health workers telling a woman in labour that ‘I wasn’t there when you were doing it.’”
In his submission, Citro said like many countries, Nigeria does not have a law that prohibits discrimination against persons affected by TB. He, however, said that certain provisions of the constitution can be used to protect their rights, plus other laws, which include the law that prohibits the discrimination against persons living with HIV, International Treaties and Charters to which Nigeria is a signatory.
A doctor, Oladimeji Olasukanmi, who is the supervisor of TB program in Lagos, explained that TB is not deadly as falsely held by many. He said it can only be transmitted through sputum and not saliva. He added that the disease can’t be transmitted by handshake and hugging.
He pointed out some of the symptoms to include; cough that lasts up to two weeks, low-grade fever, night sweat, unexplainable weight loss, chest pain and lymph node. He advised that people who show some of the symptoms should visit a nearby hospital for a check.
A TB survivor, Adebola Temitope Adams, regretted that the media has been silent about TB, the reason why Nigeria is a high burden country. She advised that the same publicity given to COVID-19 should also be given to TB.
Ms Adams said TB treatment requires a lot of food as it makes treatment successful. She lamented that people who come down with TB often lose their jobs, hence lose the means to afford the necessary food that could aid their recovery. She advised for the enactment of laws to protect the jobs of people who are affected by TB.
