First Lady Remi Tinubu has donated N1bn to support the fight in ending tuberculosis in Nigeria by 2030.
Tinubu made the donation in Abuja on Thursday following her investiture as the global and national Stop TB champion by the Global Stop TB Partnership.
First ladies from the 36 states were also made Stop TB champions in their various states.
According to the World Health Organisation, TB is a disease caused by a bacterium (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that often affects the lungs.
The disease is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough sneeze or spit. A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infected.
Nigeria is ranked sixth globally and first in Africa as a country with a high burden of TB.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu said she accepts the investiture as a call for action in ending TB in the country by 2030.
She said, “Ending TB by 2030 is not impossible with the active support of everyone seated here today. Let me acknowledge the efforts of all stakeholders at the national, regional and global levels towards addressing the TB epidemic.”
She noted that following the 2023 political declaration adoption of the United Nations High-Level Meeting, President Bola Tinubu is fully committed towards the fight against TB and achieving the goals set forth in the declaration.
“Nigeria has made remarkable progress in the fight against TB and it is still not relenting in its efforts to eradicate TB completely, even before the target of 2030.
“Nevertheless, I call on the government, legislators, private partners, development partners, civil society organisations, health care professionals, academia, market men and women, communities, religious leaders, traditional leaders and individuals to intensify their efforts in working towards ending TB by ensuring that everyone has access to quality TB diagnosis, and treatment services.
“I congratulate the first ladies who have today become TB champions in their respective states. This designation is not just a title but to use your positions to amplify the awareness of TB and end the stigma associated with it.
“It is on this note that we at the Renewed Hope Initiative have decided to support the fight to end TB by 2030 with a humble donation of N1bn and we use this opportunity to call on all well meaning Nigerians to assist in this fight,” Mrs. Tinubu said.
The Executive Director of the Global Stop TB Partnership, Geneva, Dr. Lucica Ditiu commended Nigeria’s efforts in eradicating TB.
Ditiu said, “Nigeria has a huge burden of TB, it is not a shame, it is not a problem. There is a big ambition, and there are amazing achievements that have taken place.
“Nigeria used to have about 70 percent missing cases of TB but in 2023, Nigeria has 70 percent TB notification.
“So, the country cannot go back. Nigeria cannot afford to perform worse afterwards.
“Nigeria doesn’t need technical assistance to fight TB. Nigeria knows how to diagnose, detect and treat their people. There are innovative ways to source for the needed funds for TB response, especially from the private sector.
“Nigeria has leaders who care about the health of their people. African nation needs a lot of push, let’s do what we can to end TB. This is a collective effort,” she stated.
At the event, individuals and NGOs such as Abdul Samad Rabiu, Africa initiative, ATM Shafa Holdings, Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Chief Austin Obiefuna, Dr. Gidado Mustapha, and Dr Chukwuma Anyaike were recognised for their contributions in the fight against TB.
