First Lady Reaffirms Commitment to Tuberculosis Advocacy, Calls for Collective Action
First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, young act on Spoken Words ,Al-Amin Sanusi and the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare Prof Ali Pate during the High Level Event: Political Leadership to End TB, 38th Board Meeting, Stop TB Partnership Global held in Abuja on Thursday 12th December 2024
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has renewed her commitment to leading the fight against tuberculosis (TB), citing the personal loss of a trusted staff member who succumbed to the disease due to fear of stigma.
Speaking at the High-Level Event: Political Leadership to End TB, held during the 38th Board Meeting of the Stop TB Partnership in Abuja, the First Lady emphasized the urgent need to address TB as a public health crisis. Addressing representatives from over 62 countries, she highlighted ignorance and stigma as significant barriers to combating the disease.
“Many people are unaware that TB remains a critical health challenge,” Senator Tinubu said, lamenting that one of her staff members had concealed his diagnosis due to fear of discrimination. “I could have helped him get treatment, but he kept it from me. It’s a painful reminder of the stigma and ignorance surrounding this disease.”
L-R Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr Iziak Salako, Secretary of Health, Philippines,Dr Teodoro Herbosa, Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare Prof Ali Pate, First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Executive Secretary Stop TB Partnership Geneva Dr Lucica Ditiu and AG Board Chair, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria Dr Queen Ogbuku- Ladipo during the High Level Event: Political Leadership to End TB, 38th Board Meeting, Stop TB Partnership Global held in Abuja on Thursday 12th December 2024
The First Lady described TB as “the world’s deadliest infectious disease” and called for increased awareness, funding, and collaboration to eradicate it. She urged stakeholders to take collective action, particularly to protect vulnerable groups like children.
“Our children are most vulnerable because we are not discussing this issue enough. The statistics on TB are not just numbers; they represent real people, their struggles, and the devastating impact of this disease,” she said.
Nigeria's Progress and Challenges
Health leaders at the event commended Nigeria’s significant strides in TB detection and treatment, with an 80% success rate in 2023. However, they warned that more resources are needed to sustain progress.
Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Global Stop TB Partnership, praised Nigeria’s efforts as a model for other nations, attributing the progress to strong leadership from the First Lady and other stakeholders. She stressed the need for additional funding to address challenges like drug-resistant TB and stigma.
“The battle is not over. Nigeria must mobilize more resources, including counterpart funding, to close the gaps in treatment and prevention,” Dr. Ditiu stated.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, also commended the Tinubu administration for its commitment, citing the ₦1 billion funding released under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI). “Leadership is not a noun; it’s a verb. Nigeria’s dedication to combating TB is something to be proud of,” he said.
A Call to Action
The First Lady called for increased domestic funding, public awareness campaigns, and strengthened laws to combat stigma and discrimination against TB patients.
National Coordinator of TB People Nigeria, Tope Adebola Adams, a TB survivor, highlighted critical areas needing attention, including nutritional support for TB patients, job reabsorption for those who recover, and capacity building for healthcare workers.
Countries like Malawi, Indonesia, and Tajikistan also shared insights at the meeting, underscoring the importance of leadership in tackling TB globally.
Senator Tinubu concluded with a powerful message: “As citizens of the world, of Africa, and of Nigeria, we have the power, responsibility, and duty to act now. Together, we can eradicate this global health crisis and protect future generations.”
The event reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ending TB, with stakeholders pledging to intensify efforts and build on the progress achieved so far.
Signed:
Busola Kukoyi
SSA Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Thursday, 12th December 2024
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