Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, has called for renewed commitment, particularly at the state level, in the battle against Tuberculosis (TB). She made this call during her appointment as the Global and National Stop TB Champion at the State House in Abuja.
Mrs. Tinubu commended the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for its efforts in raising awareness, leading to significant improvements in case identification and treatment for tuberculosis. She acknowledged the collaborative efforts of stakeholders at national, regional, and global levels following the adoption of the Political Declaration at the United Nations High-Level Meeting in New York in September 2023.
Highlighting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to fighting TB, Mrs. Tinubu stressed the importance of achieving the goals outlined in the Political Declaration, alongside other national objectives aimed at ensuring a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria.
In addition to her advocacy, Mrs. Tinubu urged the Wives of State Governors, whom she also appointed as TB Champions for their respective states, to intensify awareness efforts to eradicate the treatable disease.
She restated that the appointment carries the responsibility to make a tangible difference and urged them to leverage their positions to raise awareness, combat stigma, and facilitate patient access to treatment and support.
Demonstrating her commitment, Mrs. Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, donated one billion naira to support the cause. She dedicated her investiture to Daniel, a staff member who lost his life to TB, and others who suffered silently from the disease.
She urged collective action, compassion, and understanding to eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with TB.
Prof. Mohammed Pate, Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, mentioned that the progress achieved in combating TB is a collective effort of all Nigerians, emphasising the need to sustain momentum. He applauded the significant political will demonstrated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Global Stop TB Partnership, Geneva, urged Nigeria to mobilise domestic resources to address the TB scourge, noting Nigeria’s key role in influencing global TB outcomes. She commended the leadership of the First Lady in health-related matters and praised the Health Ministry’s leadership for its commitment to tackling TB.
