FLAG-OFF OF THE SOUTHERN WOW TRUCK IN AKWA IBOM

The Wellness on Wheels (WoW) truck, a mobile care delivery system that provides systematic TB screening of high-risk populations combining digital chest radiography with computer-aided automated interpretation and chronic cough screening to identify beneficiaries of GeneXpert MTB/RIF testing on-site . This mobile diagnostic unit for Tuberculosis (TB) – the Wellness-On-Wheels (WOW) truck has arrived Akwa Ibom as part of interventions on the TB LON project. The WOW truck will support the Active TB case-finding efforts of the State Tuberculosis Control programme for 1 year.

 

WoW campaign, is a collaborative effort of the State Ministry of Health and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the TB Local Organisations Network (LON) project implemented by KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria.

The WoW campaign involves the use of a truck which is equipped with digital x-ray and GeneXpert machines for the real-time on-the-spot screening and diagnosis of TB. This mobile TB diagnostic unit will improve access to TB services by bringing TB screening and diagnosis to the doorsteps of clients as a one-stop-shop thus contributing to the campaign on access to healthcare in the bid of providing health for all. This campaign eliminates the delay in accessing healthcare services with emphasis on TB, by bringing TB services to clients at their doorsteps. Results are gotten within a short time, thus reducing the time spent in seeking TB services. This will ensure early diagnosis and treatment of TB and contribute to halting the transmission of TB in our communities. It will also improve the health-seeking behaviour of the people through the health messages provided in the course of the campaigns. All at no cost to the clients.

As we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic with similar symptoms but much shorter duration, it is vital that all of us remember the similarities between TB and COVID-19. The COVID-19 epidemic presents a very challenging and difficult situation as its effect on our health systems threatens the strides and gains made in the control of infectious diseases like tuberculosis and HIV.

the WOW truck and other interventions targeted at TB case finding and service delivery, we hope to help the Akwa Ibom State not just sustain but improve on past gains made in Tuberculosis control in the state.

The activities on the WoW Truck was flagged off, Tuesday 12thof May 2020 by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Akwa Ibom state – Dr. Dominic Ukpong in the company of the Permanent Secretary for Health – Dr. Patrick Essiet; the Director, Public Health – Dr. Godfrey Akro and the State TB Programme Office – Dr. Etop Antia along with their team members. The KNCV Nigeria Akwa Ibom cluster lead and his team – ACF team and others were present and participated in the flag-off.

Two patients were screened as part of the flag-off activities.