Wife of the President of Nigeria, OIuremi Tinubu has contributed N1 billion to aid in the eradication of Tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria by 2030.
Sen. Tinubu, a former senator made the donation following her conferment as the global and national Stop TB champion by the Global Stop TB Partnership.
Additionally, wives of Governors from all 36 states were also conferred Stop TB champions in their respective states.
Speaking at the event, Senator Tinubu expressed her acceptance of the investiture as a call to action in the effort to end TB in Nigeria by 2030.
She said ending TB by 2030 is not impossible with the active support of everyone involved.
“I congratulate the first ladies who have today become TB champions in their respective states. This designation is not just a title but to use your positions to amplify the awareness on TB and end the stigma associated with it,” she said.
“It is on the note that we at the Renewed Hope Initiative have decided to support the fight to end TB by 2030 with a humble donation of N1bn and we use this opportunity to call on all well meaning Nigerians to assist in this fight.”
She pointed out that after the adoption of the 2023 political declaration at the United Nations High-Level Meeting, President Bola Tinubu has shown full commitment to the fight against TB and to achieving the goals outlined in the declaration.
She highlighted Nigeria’s significant strides in combating TB and emphasized the country’s commitment to completely eradicating the disease even before the 2030 target.
Sen. Tinubu, however, urges all stakeholders to redouble their efforts in striving to eliminate TB by ensuring universal access to quality TB diagnosis and treatment services.
Tuberculosis, a killer disease
TB, an airborne disease which spreads via the inhalation of droplets primarily from the coughs of infected people — is one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, claiming 1.3 million lives in 2022.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with TB worldwide in 2022, including 5.8 million men, 3.5 million women and 1.3 million children.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation ranks first in Africa and sixth in the world, accounting for about 4.6 per cent of the global TB burden.
Eradicating TB
The Executive Director of the Global Stop TB Partnership, Geneva, Dr Lucica Ditiu commended Nigeria’s efforts in eradicating TB.
Dr Ditiu emphasized that Nigeria carries a significant burden of TB, which should not be viewed as a source of shame or denial.
She said despite challenges, Nigeria harbors ambitious goals and has witnessed remarkable achievements.
She added that the country has transitioned from a situation where approximately 70 per cent of TB cases went undetected to achieving a 70 per cent TB notification rate by 2023.
“Nigeria don’t need technical assistance to fight TB. Nigeria knows how to diagnose, detect, and treat their people,” she said.
“Nigeria has leaders who care about the health of their people. African nation needs a lot of push, let’s do what we can to end TB.“
In her remarks, the acting board chair, Stop TB Partnership, Nigeria, Dr Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo said despite advancements in medicine and healthcare, TB remains a formidable adversary, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations and underserved communities.
Dr Ladipo, however, said there is hope with the dedication of healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and advocates who work tirelessly to combat TB and improve the lives of those affected.
She stated that urgent action is needed at all levels to address gaps in TB detection, treatment, and prevention.
“By leveraging your voices and networks, we can galvanize support from various stakeholders and communities, ultimately driving progress towards a TB-free Nigeria,” she said.