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Senator Remi Tinubu, the First Lady, has made a significant contribution to the fight against tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria by donating N1 billion to support efforts to eradicate the disease by 2030. The announcement came during her investiture as the global and national Stop TB champion by the Global Stop TB Partnership in Abuja.
Joined by First Ladies from the 36 states, Tinubu’s donation underscores the urgency of addressing the TB epidemic, which continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Nigeria. TB, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a leading cause of death globally, with Nigeria ranking sixth and first in TB burden in the world and Africa, respectively.
Speaking at the event, Senator Tinubu emphasized the need for collaborative action to achieve the goal of ending TB by 2030. She acknowledged the commitment of stakeholders at national, regional, and global levels in addressing the TB epidemic and called for intensified efforts to ensure universal access to quality diagnosis and treatment services.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to the fight against TB, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, outlined key initiatives aimed at strengthening TB detection, treatment, and prevention. These include equipping Primary Health Care facilities with essential facilities and personnel, scaling up the use of digital X-ray for TB screening, and establishing a robust specimen referral network.
Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Global Stop TB Partnership, commended Nigeria’s efforts in combating TB and emphasized the importance of sustained commitment and innovative funding mechanisms to support TB response efforts.
In her remarks, Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, acting board chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, underscored the urgent need for increased advocacy, awareness, and action to eliminate the TB scourge. She recognized the pivotal role of stakeholders, including the First Lady and state governors’ wives, in mobilizing resources and driving progress towards a TB-free Nigeria.