First Lady, Remi Tinubu, has advocated for a renewed commitment, especially at the state level to the fight against tuberculosis in Nigeria. This is even as she pledged N1bn to tackle the disease.
She was speaking during her investiture as the Global and National Stop TB Champion at the State House Abuja.
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In a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, the first lady applauded the role of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in raising awareness which has led to a significant improvement in case finding and treatment coverage of the disease.
“Let me acknowledge the efforts of all stakeholders at the national, regional, and global levels towards addressing the TB epidemic, following the adoption of the Political Declaration at the United Nations High-Level Meeting held in New York in September 2023. Building on this commitment, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is fully committed to the fight against tuberculosis and achieving the goals outlined in the Political Declaration, alongside other national goals towards ensuring a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria,” she said.
The first lady also charged the wives of state governors whom she also decorated as TB Champions for their respective states to raise awareness further to ensure that the treatable disease is brought to the barest minimum.
“This designation is not just a title, but carries with it, the power to make a difference.
“I kindly appeal that you all use your exalted positions to amplify awareness about tuberculosis, to end the stigma associated with it, and to help patients in your respective states access the available treatments and support,” she said.
To further drive home her commitment to the fight against TB, the newly decorated global, and national champion through the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI donated N1bn to the cause.
“I dedicate this investiture to Daniel, one of my staff, who unfortunately lost his life to the disease, and to others who we have lost just like him by remaining silent.
“Starting from now, let us work together by showing compassion, and understanding to end stigma and discrimination,” she added.
Earlier, the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate. noted that the success recorded so far in the fight against the disease is a collective effort of not only the healthcare sector but all Nigerians and this should be sustained because of the evidence of the great political will demonstrated by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
In her remarks, the executive director of Global Stop TB Partnership, Geneva, Dr Lucica Ditiu, appealed to Nigeria to mobilise domestic resources to address the scourge.
“If it does not happen in Nigeria, it will not happen in Africa. If does not happen in Africa, it will not happen in the world,” she said.