In Rivers State, the 2024 World TB Day celebration commenced on 19th March with sensitization campaigns. The grand finale with the theme, “Yes, we can end TB, get involved” was held on 25th March 2024 at Rumuwoji Playground in Diobu area of Port Harcourt, with a novelty football match between Rivers Team and TB team. The Rivers Team won the TB team by 3-0. Before the novelty match, the Director of Public Health and Disease Control – Dr. Golden Owhonda informed the audience that Team Rivers was expected to thrash the TB Team because Team Rivers players represented Rivers people who have been adequately sensitized, immunized and treated with drugs to deal with TB sickness, stressing that it was time to kick out TB from Rivers State and in Nigeria. Dr. Owhonda performed the official kick-off of the match on behalf of the State Commissioner for Health Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh who was unavoidably absent.
Other activities include integrated community sensitization/treatment on malaria, HIV, TB, and dance drama on how TB team goes door-to-door to create awareness. Some community health workers and health Centres were rewarded by the State Government, for their excellent performance towards ending TB in Rivers State. Goodwill messages were delivered by the World Health Organization, IHVN, KNCV, ARFH, ES PHCMB, RAN, CMDs etc.
This activity was organized by the Rivers State Ministry of Health in conjuction with the Civil Society for the eradication of Tuberculosis in Nigeria (TB Network) Rivers State chapter, to celebrate the 2024 world Tuberculosis Day. In attendance were government officials, community health workers from all the 23 LGAs of the State, community members, representatives of private and public health institutions, over 30 civil society organizations including representative of CHHELD, media houses and members of the public.
The event also recorded the presence of the Deputy Mayor of Port Harcourt LGA – Honourable Tamunotonye Douglas who presented the football trophy to Team Rivers that won the novelty match.