The information claiming that tuberculosis no longer exists in Bambari is false and unfounded.
In recent days, a rumor has been circulating in Bambari, a city located 385 km from Bangui, Central African Republic, suggesting that tuberculosis has been eradicated due to the presence of COVID-19. However, this is not true—many people continue to suffer from tuberculosis in Bambari.
To debunk this misinformation, the Lego Ti l’Ouaka team contacted the head of the tuberculosis medication distribution centers in Bambari, as well as a patient affected by the disease.
In an interview with our fact-checking team, Mr. Jean Marie Youkouanga confirmed:
“This disease still exists. It is due to ignorance that this rumor continues to spread, misleading the Bambari community, while tuberculosis continues to pose a threat to the population.”
Similarly, Bonaventure Eberego, a tuberculosis patient in Bambari, whom we also interviewed, stated, “I have been suffering from this disease for some time.”
Since the arrival of COVID-19 in the Central African Republic on March 14, 2020, Bambari has not been spared. As a result, awareness campaigns have largely focused on combating the pandemic, leading some of the population to mistakenly believe that tuberculosis no longer exists in the area. However, this belief is based on unfounded rumors. After verifying this information, the Lego Ti La Ouaka team found it to be false.
Avent Jospin Tchemargo / Lego Ti la Ouaka Radio Team
