The First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu has called on Nigerians to get tested and know their TB status.
She was speaking at the 2025 World TB Day Community Outreach held at the Sauka Village, Airport Road Abuja.
She said ending TB by 2030 is a collective responsibility of Government, traditional and religious leaders, legislators, the youth, healthcare workers, private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs) and international partners.
“The statistics from the World Health Organization’s 2024 Global TB Report are alarming. In Nigeria, one person dies of TB every seven minutes. This means that, in the short time we will spend at this event, many more lives will be lost, if we do not act swiftly and decisively”.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu pointed out that the high prevalence of TB in Nigeria is unacceptable and all hands must be on deck to fight the treatable and curable airborne disease.
“At this juncture, I would like to pledge an additional sum of One Billion Naira from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) towards the fight against Tuberculosis in Nigeria”.
“As the Global and National Stop TB Champion, I reaffirm my commitment to addressing the scourge of TB in our nation. I will continue to advocate for increased funding and policy reforms to strengthen TB control efforts, and mobilize resources and partnerships to support TB awareness and treatment programs. In addition, I will continue to amplify the voices of TB survivors and fight against stigma and discrimination, and ensure that women, children, and marginalized groups have equal access to TB care”.
The First Lady noted that government has prioritized expanding TB testing and treatment centres across Nigeria with the aim of ensuring that TB treatment remains free and accessible to all, strengthening community-based healthcare system to reach the most vulnerable populations, and enhancing funding and partnerships to scale up TB control programs.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako pointed out that the target of eradicating TB in Nigeria by 2030 is doable especially as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given the Ministry marching orders to ramp up the health and well-being of Nigerians.
In direct response to the request of the Sapeyi of Garki, Alhaji Dr Usman Nga Kupi for a Primary Health Centre in Sauka Community, the First Lady assured them that it will be done as she had a quick discussion with the Minister on the issue.
There was a health talk on the causes, symptoms, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Tuberculosis.
There was also testing for the disease at the Community Outreach.
The theme for the 2025 “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver” with our local slogan “We Fit Do Am,”.
