TB Day: First Lady urges boost in domestic financing, early detection
…seeks stronger awareness, access to treatment From Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called for intensified efforts to boost domestic financing, raise awareness, expand early detection, strengthen access
...seeks stronger awareness, access to treatment
From Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called for intensified efforts to boost domestic financing, raise awareness, expand early detection, strengthen access to quality treatment, and eliminate stigma in the fight against tuberculosis (TB).
In her message to commemorate the 2026 World Tuberculosis Day marked on March 24, the First Lady stressed that addressing these critical areas remains essential to ending the disease in Nigeria.
She noted that while tuberculosis is both preventable and treatable, it continues to affect thousands of families across the country, underscoring the need for sustained action and commitment from all stakeholders.
Highlighting the global theme for this year’s commemoration, “Yes! We Can End TB,” Senator Tinubu described it as a reminder of the importance of strong national leadership and collective effort in accelerating progress toward eliminating the disease.
According to her, meaningful progress can only be achieved through collaboration among communities, TB survivors, healthcare workers, and development partners, working together to tackle the burden of the disease.
The First Lady acknowledged that Nigeria has recorded a significant reduction in new TB cases in recent years but cautioned that the country still has a long way to go in completely eradicating the disease.
She emphasised that stigma remains a major barrier preventing many affected individuals from seeking timely diagnosis and treatment, calling for deliberate efforts to address misconceptions and discrimination associated with TB.
Senator Tinubu further pointed out that strengthening healthcare systems, particularly in the areas of early detection and access to quality treatment, would be key to reducing transmission and improving patient outcomes.
She reiterated that increased domestic financing would ensure sustainable interventions and reduce reliance on external funding, thereby enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to respond effectively to the TB epidemic.
“With the sustained political will demonstrated by this administration, community engagement, and shared responsibility, we can indeed end TB by 2030,” she stated.
The First Lady urged Nigerians to take advantage of available health services, support those affected by the disease, and join hands with the government and partners in the collective effort to eliminate tuberculosis in the country.
