As part of measures to provide cure for tuberculosis, the Benue State governor Samuel Ortom has inaugurated a KNCV clinic known as “Wellness on Wheels” (WoW) truck services to fight against the disease. Ortom was represented by his deputy, Engr Benson Abounu, for the ceremony, other dignitaries at the event include, Dr Bethrand Odume, ED, KNCV TB Foundation, Nigeria, Hon commissioner for health, Dr Joseph Ngbea, the host chairman Guma LGA, Chief Mike Abu, the paramount ruler and council of chiefs, Guma LGA among others.
WoW truck tuberculosis services encompass a digital chest ex-ray machine to detect possible signs of the disease, a gene expert machine, which facilitates results of specimen within two hours, a portable digital x-ray machine for non-motor able roads as well as biosafety cabinet to protect the person operating it. Governor Samuel Ortom during the inauguration of WoW at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp 3, Daudu said the move was part of his administration’s commitment to safeguarding the life of the citizens, particularly in the area of health care.
Ortom applauded KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria for bringing the intervention to the people’s doorsteps as he assured that his administration will leave no stone unturned to make the programme succeed. The Global Fund Country Team for Nigeria has donated MiniXray with Qure.ai from MiniXray Team, Illinois USA to Nigeria. The donation which was received by KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria is a portable digital Xray machine with artificial intelligence and will be deployed for targeted community TB case finding, case search for TB within the communities and hard to reach locations.
The Commissioning and unveiling of the Wellness on Keke (WoK) tricycle was performed by the Honourable Commissioner of Health Kano state. Also the Anambra WoK (Wellness on Keke) was flag off with the Honorable Commissioner of Health Anambra State Dr. Ben Afam Obidike and the Executive Director KNCV Nigeria Dr. Bethrand Odume and their teams.
WoK drives access to COVID-19 vaccination, TB and Chronic disease screening (Hypertension and Diabetes) to the hard to reach communities. The WoK initiative is funded by USAID under the KNCV Nigeria GloVax Project. Each WoK comes fitted with a TB LAMP and portable digital X-ray with artificial intelligence for on the spot TB diagnosis and COVID -19 vaccination cold boxes.
