Vet Doctors Seek Stronger Surveillance System to Fight Tuberculosis in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Anambra State Chapter has called for strengthening intervention measures and surveillance system to effectively address animal to human transmission of tuberculosis in the state.

The body made this call during a public enlightenment campaign at Umunya Slaughter House in Oyi Local Government Area to commemorate 2026 World Tuberculosis Day themed, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.

The public enlightenment also featured Radio Sensitization Programme, public enlightenment and Meat Inspection.

Speaking during the enlightenment campaign at Umunya, State Chairman of the association, Dr Victor Ughaerumba emphasized that ending tuberculosis in the state is achievable through sustained government investment.

He specifically certified the slaughter house suitable for construction of an ultra modern abattoir with well structured facilities, calling for development of functional veterinary diagnostic centres for accurate ante mortem and post mortem diagnosis.

While supervising an inspection of slaughtered cow, Ughaerumba called for more awareness on the disease and prompt report of presumptive cases for immediate attention.

“We have looked at the major internal organs, lungs, kidneys, heart and intestines. We feel at this point that this particular carcass is okay for consumption.

“But again, we are also calling on the government if we have laboratories, we could go for further testing. We can decide to take some samples for laboratory checks.

“So that we might not be missing out some human errors in whatever we are doing, that is going forward for a better, safer, and a greater public health in Anambra,” he added.

Chairman of Onyeaghananwanneya Butchers Association, Umunya, Mr Chinwuba Uba, appreciated the association for the campaign which he described as life saving, adding that issues around meat safety was important for every human.

He noted that meat safety could not be overlooked, assuring to abide by standard hygienic ways of meat processing and handling in the slaughter house.

One of the butchers, Chief Chidiebere Nwankwo pledged to utilize knowledge gained to enhance public health safety in meat processing value chains.