First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has emphasized the need for a collective effort and investment to eradicate the deadly disease of Tuberculosis (TB). As the National and Global Stop TB Champion, she made this appeal in her message on Monday, coinciding with the 2025 TB Day, themed: “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.” Tinubu urged stakeholders to contribute towards providing free treatment for TB patients to help save lives. She highlighted that TB treatment is available at no cost in Nigeria. “I encourage everyone to seek out any hospital for free testing and treatment,” she stated.
“The TB crisis can be overcome in Nigeria and worldwide if we take the necessary steps to fight it. “Today, I stand with the global community in reaffirming our dedication to eliminating one of the deadliest infectious diseases, TB. “Tuberculosis is treatable, and early intervention can save lives,” she added. The First Lady also urged individuals experiencing a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, or fever to visit the nearest health facility for complimentary TB testing and treatment.
She urged all Nigerians to take tuberculosis (TB) seriously and seek appropriate treatment as soon as they notice any symptoms or are informed that they have TB. “We are reminded that overcoming TB is achievable when we combine our efforts, invest in effective solutions, and ensure that life-saving interventions reach everyone in need. “As the National and Global Stop TB Champion, I embrace this responsibility with profound personal dedication. The battle against TB transcends policy; it is deeply personal to me. “I have experienced the sorrow of losing a friend, which serves as a painful reminder that TB continues to pose a significant health risk, particularly when it remains undiagnosed and untreated. “We cannot permit more lives to be lost to a disease that is both preventable and treatable. “Together, indeed! We can eradicate TB. Let us pledge, invest, and fulfill this commitment for a healthier, TB-free Nigeria,” she stated.
According to NAN, this day, observed every year on March 24, highlights the critical need to eliminate tuberculosis, recognized as the deadliest infectious disease worldwide.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said that the African region has experienced the most significant reduction in tuberculosis (TB) deaths worldwide since 2015. However, it still fell short of crucial targets to decrease the disease’s impact on health and lives substantially. Between 2015 and 2023, TB-related deaths dropped by 42%, while the number of cases decreased by 24%, as highlighted in the WHO Global TB Report 2024. These improvements are largely attributed to enhanced efforts by countries to improve case detection and treatment access, which have helped prevent fatalities. In 2023, approximately 1.9 million TB cases were reported, an increase from 1.4 million in 2020. During the same timeframe, the WHO noted that treatment coverage in the region rose from 55% to 74%.NAN also reported that Nigeria is the leading country in Africa and is ranked sixth in the world among the 30 countries with the most tuberculosis cases.
