Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Monday said one person dies of Tuberculosis every seven minutes despite it being a preventable and curable disease. Tinubu stated this at a community outreach in Sauka, Abuja to commemorate the 2025 World TB Day themed, ” Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” with the slogan, “We fit do am.” World TB Day is commemorated on March 24 annually to raise TB awareness and mobilise efforts, including political commitment to resources and healthcare financing for TB towards elimination. She said, “Beyond being a disease; TB is a national emergency that needs to be addressed urgently because it is preventable and curable. The statistics from the World Health Organisation’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. “Despite TB being preventable and curable, Nigeria remains one of the top eight countries with the highest burden of TB worldwide. “It is unacceptable that so many of our brothers and sisters still suffer from this disease in silence due to stigma, lack of awareness, and ignorance of not visiting a healthcare facility on time.” She stated that the Federal Government is committed to eradicating TB, through strategic investments in diagnostics, treatment, and prevention. She urged traditional and religious leaders, legislators, the youth, healthcare workers, private sector organisations, non-governmental organisations, community-based organizations, and international partners to join forces in the fight against TB. As the Global and National Stop TB Champion, she reaffirmed her commitment to tackling TB by advocating for more funding, policy reforms, and resource mobilisation to support TB awareness and treatment. She also pledged to amplify the voices of TB survivors, combat stigma and discrimination, and ensure equal access to TB care for women, children, and marginalised groups. “I encourage every Nigerian to join in this fight. TB is curable, and early detection saves lives. Let us work together to remove the stigma surrounding TB, encourage testing, and support those affected. “TB is airborne and since it is contagious, I urge every one of us to get tested, know your TB status, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. If you have a persistent cough for more than two weeks, do not ignore it but rather seek medical help immediately,” she added. In her remarks, the Acting Board Chair, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Dr Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo noted that TB is a serious health issue in Nigeria, especially in remote communities, where many people may not have access to TB diagnosis and treatment. Ogbuji-Ladipo said TB is preventable and curable, and treatment is free in government facilities. “Today’s community outreach aims to bring TB information and services closer to the residents of Sauka community so that no one is left behind in the fight against TB. It will also provide platforms for them to learn about TB, ask questions, get tested, and help spread the message that TB can be defeated,” she noted. She highlighted that the Stop TB partnership has made significant progress through strong advocacy and collaboration with various stakeholders. She also advocated increased resource mobilisation and increased funding. “It is more critical than ever to strengthen our advocacy efforts for resource mobilisation to combat TB. Increased funding will ensure better access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, ultimately saving lives and improving the well-being of communities,” she added. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako emphasised that TB remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, which ranks first in Africa and sixth globally among high-burden TB countries. “In 2023, an estimated 499,000 Nigerians developed TB, primarily affecting the productive age group (25–44 years), leading to economic hardships. The situation is worsened by stigma, poverty, malnutrition, overcrowded living conditions, and limited access to quality healthcare,” he said. He noted that despite challenges, Nigeria has made significant progress in TB eradication through WHO-recommended strategies. The Country Representative of the World Health Organisation Nigeria, Dr Walter Molumbo pledged the organisation’s commitment to accelerating the TB response guided by its latest guidelines. “We will continue to work with our partners and step up action towards mobilising the needed domestic and international resources required for ending TB in Nigeria. “TB is curable and treatable; I implore anyone coughing for two weeks or more to go for a TB test in the nearest health facility. I call on all stakeholders, yes everyone- the donors, private sector, civil society, Molumbo said. The Sa’Peyi of Garki, Usman Nga Kupi emphasised the need for efforts to eliminate TB globally. “Awareness programmes such as this are a critical need for increased and sustained investment in TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care. “This emphasis is important for translating commitment and investment into tangible results that directly benefit people yet to be infected and already affected,” he noted. Punch
