The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed her dedication to combating Tuberculosis (TB).
Speaking at a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) side event organized by the Stop TB Partnership, she emphasized her commitment to the cause.
“Today, I bring a message of hope and determination. We have the tools, the knowledge, and the expertise to end TB and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by 2030. Addressing TB and AMR together is not just the smart wayβit is the best and only way,” she stated.
The First Lady expressed concern about the high TB burden in Nigeria, one of the highest in the world, noting the devastating toll it takes, with approximately 125,000 lives lost each year.
βTB does not discriminate; it affects men, women, and children, cutting across all social and economic backgrounds, with the poor being the most vulnerable,” she added.
As a Global and National Stop TB Champion, Senator Tinubu emphasized the importance of joint efforts in tackling both TB and AMR.
“Tuberculosis has plagued our communities for so long, and the response to the disease has encountered AMR in all its dimensions. Despite progress, drug-resistant TB remains a major cause for concern. Due to its airborne nature, TB is a threat to global health security,” she warned.
She called on stakeholders to adopt innovative approaches to combat both TB and AMR in an integrated and strategic manner.
βOur efforts must include preventing new infections, raising awareness, educating people on the dangers of drug-resistant TB, and promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics. We must also prioritize research to develop new tools, treatments, and vaccines that can outpace the evolving threat of AMR,” she urged.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, Dr. Lucica Ditiu, encouraged all present to leverage their collective strengths as individual nations to fight TB. “We are struggling, but we are still making significant impact with amazing results,” she said.
The event, themed “Breaking the Resistance: Fighting AMR and TB Together for a Healthy Future,” was attended by notable figures, including the Wives of the Kwara and Imo State Governors, Ambassador Dr. Olufolake Abdulrazaq and Barrister Chioma Uzodimma, as well as Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, and ministers from other countries.
