On World TB Day 2025, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu urges collective action to end Tuberculosis, calling for investment in treatment and testing

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a heartfelt message on World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, held on March 24, 2025, First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu urged for a unified effort and investment in the fight to end the deadly disease of Tuberculosis.

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As the National and Global Stop TB Champion, Tinubu highlighted the importance of collective commitment to save lives through timely treatment and early detection of TB.

The theme for this year’s World TB Day, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” resonated deeply with Tinubu, who called on stakeholders across the health, government, and private sectors to invest in free TB treatment programs in Nigeria.

She reminded citizens that TB treatment is entirely free in the country, urging anyone who suspects they may have the disease to seek help at any hospital.

“TB is curable, and early treatment saves lives,” Tinubu emphasised. She appealed to Nigerians who have persistent symptoms like a cough lasting more than two weeks, unexplained weight loss, fever, or night sweats to get tested for TB.

Free testing and treatment are available, and early intervention can help curb the spread of the disease, she added.

The First Lady’s message was a call to action for all Nigerians to take TB seriously, stressing the need for proper treatment at the first sign of symptoms or when advised by a health professional.

Tinubu reiterated that ending TB is within reach if there is a united effort to deliver effective and life-saving solutions to those who need them most.

“As the National and Global Stop TB Champion, I take this responsibility with deep personal commitment. The fight against TB is not just a policy issue, it is personal,” she declared.

The WHO’s Global TB Report 2024 highlighted that the African region has seen a 42% decrease in TB deaths between 2015 and 2023, despite not meeting key milestones.

In total, 1.9 million TB cases were detected in 2023, with treatment coverage in the region rising from 55% to 74% over the same period.

However, Nigeria remains a high-burden country, ranking first in Africa and sixth globally for TB cases. According to the WHO, approximately 499,000 Nigerians developed TB in 2023, and over 400,000 cases were identified and treated in 2024, achieving a treatment coverage rate of 79%. These statistics highlight the ongoing need for increased TB awareness and better access to treatment.

The fight against Tuberculosis, one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, continues to be a global priority.

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Tinubu’s call to action stresses the importance of not only government intervention but also the active participation of all citizens in tackling the TB crisis.