The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commended the progress made in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) in the country, which has led to a steady increase in the number of people diagnosed and treated for the disease.
She made this statement at the 2024 National TB Conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, December 10.
The First Lady, however, decried the global burden of TB, which remains alarmingly high, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Tuberculosis remains a leading cause of death in Nigeria. The country ranks as the sixth highest-burden country in the world and the highest in Africa.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2024 reveals that Nigeria recorded approximately 467,000 TB cases in 2023.
“Despite these challenges, I am encouraged by the progress that has been made so far, thanks to the commitment of the Tinubu administration, civil society organizations, healthcare providers, and international partners. Subsequently, we have seen a steady increase in the number of people diagnosed and treated for TB,” Senator Tinubu said.
She restated her commitment to eradicating the disease in Nigeria by 2035, given the concerted efforts of the government and other stakeholders.
“However, as we celebrate our successes, we must also acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. We cannot afford to be complacent, and I assure you that the Federal Government remains fully committed to achieving the global TB targets by 2035. To achieve this, we will require sustained investment, innovative strategies, and a renewed focus on breaking the barriers that prevent people from accessing the care and support they desperately need.”
The First Lady also praised health workers, community leaders, activists, and TB survivors for their dedication. “To the health workers, community leaders, activists, and TB survivors who are tirelessly working on the frontlines, you are the true heroes of this fight, and we are grateful for your dedication.”
In his remarks, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate, urged the private sector to join President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the government in their resolute efforts to end TB in Nigeria before 2030.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziak Salako, emphasized that TB is not just a health issue but also a development challenge that the government is addressing with utmost seriousness.
Partners, including the Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership Global, Geneva, Dr. Lucica Ditiu, and the Director General of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Jean Gibisi Kaseya, commended Nigeria for its successes in identifying, reporting, and treating TB, especially in the last five years.
“We are pleased to support Nigeria, and the progress already made in addressing the disease is amazing,” Dr. Ditiu said.
Dr. Kaseya added, “Nigeria needs to teach the rest of us how it was able to achieve this in just five years. I am making a passionate appeal to the First Lady to address the gathering of African Heads of State in February in Addis Ababa so they can also support this cause as passionately as she has.”
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was appointed the Global and National Stop TB Champion on March 28, 2024, also commissioned the TB-LAMP technology for improved testing of the disease.
