In order to help the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) combat tuberculosis, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has donated ten TB molecular diagnostic devices and promised an extra ₦1 billion.
The donation, made as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative, was made public after the commissioning of new TB diagnostic machines in the capital of Nigeria, Abuja.
The First Lady reaffirmed her commitment to eradicating tuberculosis in Nigeria, represented by Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the wife of the governor of Kwara State.
During the World TB Day community outreach in Sauka village earlier this year, I pledged an extra ₦1 billion through the Renewed Hope Initiative to help fight tuberculosis in Nigeria. “I am happy to see that this commitment has been fulfilled once more,” she remarked.
She said that although TB is treatable, it nevertheless causes unnecessary deaths since diagnostic tools are not widely available.
“Tuberculosis is curable, but far too many Nigerians are still dying from TB, not because there is no technology to detect the disease, but because access to the appropriate diagnostic tools is limited,” she continued.
By God’s help, the Renewed Hope Initiative is working to close this gap with assistance from various parties, such as the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
She stated that the recently commissioned devices would be used around the country for quick TB screening, especially in underprivileged areas.
“By ensuring that those infected are promptly diagnosed and put on treatment, they will help break the dangerous chain of transmission,” she said.
She stressed that combating the disease calls for more than just technology, even as she highlighted the multifaceted character of the TB response.
The First Lady also praised the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, and the Federal Ministry of Health for their continued efforts.
It will take more than just machinery and medicine to eradicate tuberculosis in Nigeria. It requires political, technological, financial, and human resources,” she said. “I implore all parties involved to step up their efforts to mobilize domestic resources for tuberculosis.
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“Let’s keep fighting this battle together. “Together, we will create a Nigeria where TB does not claim lives and where health is a right rather than a privilege,” she said.
Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health and Environmental Services Secretariat, called the First Lady “a champion for health in the whole country.”
Through supplies of uniforms and protective gear, the Renewed Hope Initiative has empowered women and men and provided support to healthcare workers, she said.
“Statistics show that at least seven people die from tuberculosis every day,” Fasawe said, criticizing Nigeria’s high TB load. In Nigeria, at least 100 people contract tuberculosis each day. This is incorrect because tuberculosis can be prevented, treated, and eradicated.
She emphasized the importance of the donated devices, which run on solar power and are very good at rapidly diagnosing tuberculosis.
“Your blood doesn’t have to be drawn.” It is quite simple. It isn’t hazardous. It works. Predictive positive for these machines is over 95%. Additionally, we have portable chest X-rays that don’t require illumination,” she said.
When tuberculosis is detected and treatment begins, the patient’s quality of life begins to improve within a few weeks—in fact, just a few days. And the guy gets completely healed of tuberculosis in a matter of weeks. “Yes, we can,” Fasawe continued.
She also provided public education on TB vulnerability, emphasizing that people with compromised immune systems, such as pregnant women, those who are malnourished, and those who are under stress, are more vulnerable.
Immunocompromised individuals are susceptible to tuberculosis. She added that it is infectious. “There is no cost associated with treatment. Payment for an order is not required.
Finally, Dr. Fasawe commended the First Lady’s dedication. She asserted, “We can eradicate tuberculosis with this determination and Her Excellency’s dedication.”
