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In a significant initiative to combat tuberculosis (TB) in Lagos State, First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu inaugurated Local Government TB Champions and Ambassadors, the Lagos State TB Steering Committee, and the Lagos STOP TB Partnership.
The event took place on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the First Lady’s Banquet Hall, Lagos House.
The ceremony featured the investiture of female chairpersons and the wives of Local Government Area (LGA) and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chairpersons as TB champions and ambassadors.
It also marked the inauguration of key state actors to oversee the implementation of TB control policies and the mobilization of resources.
This collaborative effort aims to strengthen responses to TB by fostering partnerships among government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders.
In her address, the First Lady underscored the importance of collaboration and community leadership in the fight against TB, urging the newly appointed champions to prioritize raising awareness, improving access to diagnosis and treatment, and dismantling the stigma surrounding the disease.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu emphasized the urgency of addressing the TB crisis, revealing that approximately 2.4 million Nigerians are affected by the disease, with around 32,000 cases reported in Lagos alone.
She called on the newly invested leaders to take immediate action in their communities.
Highlighting the influential role of women in advocacy, she stated, “Women are very powerful. The men are the heads, but the women are the neck.”
She encouraged female chairpersons to mobilise resources and promote TB prevention and treatment awareness through creative strategies, including community art, social media campaigns, and grassroots efforts. “Prevention is better than cure,” she added, noting that both TB screening and treatment are free for those in need.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu also emphasized the necessity of collaboration across sectors, urging champions to network and share best practices.
“Within 48 hours of your investiture, start taking action. You have a responsibility to your community,” she stated.
She reinforced the role of the STOP TB Partnership and TB Steering Committee in mobilizing resources and fostering cooperation among various stakeholders.
Closing her remarks, the First Lady called for unity among community leaders, health officials, and philanthropists to effectively tackle the TB crisis.
She urged the newly appointed champions to set clear targets and work diligently towards a healthier Lagos State.
Lagos Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, echoed the urgency of the situation, revealing that approximately 32,000 individuals in Lagos are living with undiagnosed TB, with only 515 cases identified so far this year.
He warned that untreated individuals could infect up to 15 others annually, highlighting the risk of a potential epidemic.
He called on community involvement to identify and treat TB patients and urged local government chairpersons’ spouses to play a pivotal role in this initiative.
“You must continue to talk to your husbands and tell them that the program you came to today is so important,” he urged.
Abayomi explained that TB treatment requires a rigorous six-month regimen of antibiotics and emphasized the significance of Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) to ensure adherence and prevent drug-resistant strains of the disease. “If you don’t take your medicine properly, you’re going to get drug-resistant tuberculosis,” he cautioned.
Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, reinforced the importance of community engagement in the fight against TB.
She encouraged the newly invested leaders to advocate for increased awareness and mobilize resources for prevention efforts.
“Organize community events, rallies, and sensitization programs to educate people about TB symptoms, prevention, and treatment,” she advised.
Dr. Ogunyemi expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the fight against TB and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to achieving a TB-free Lagos by 2035.
“Together, we can eradicate tuberculosis and create a healthier, brighter future for all residents of Lagos State,” she concluded.
With these initiatives, Lagos State reaffirms its commitment to ending TB by 2035, highlighting a collective resolve to foster a healthier, stigma-free society where everyone has access to quality healthcare.
Dr. Abimbola Mabogunje, Chairman of the Lagos TB Steering Committee, stated that the establishment of the STOP TB Partnership and the TB Steering Committee is vital for a coordinated and effective response to tuberculosis. “This initiative will enhance collaboration among stakeholders, streamline efforts in diagnosis and treatment, and ensure that we are aligned in our mission to eradicate tuberculosis,” she affirmed.
Dr. Mabogunje called for active engagement from all stakeholders—health professionals, community leaders, and citizens—urging everyone to harness their collective strength to combat TB.
“Let us share our resources and work towards a common goal: a Lagos where tuberculosis is no longer a threat to our families and communities,” she said.
