Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for urgent action to address the growing tuberculosis (TB) crisis.
She emphasized the need to eradicate TB, describing it as the world’s deadliest infectious disease that continues to kill.
During a high-level event at the Presidential Villa, she shared a painful personal experience involving the loss of a staff member.
Tinubu recalled how her staff member concealed his TB symptoms due to fear of stigma, which ultimately cost his life.
The First Lady stressed that ignorance and fear are significant barriers in tackling the spread of TB in Nigeria.
She expressed regret over not being part of the health committee during her Senate years, limiting her impact.
Tinubu urged the public to prioritize TB awareness, noting that it is not just about statistics but real people suffering.
Nigeria remains one of the countries most affected by TB, with approximately 467,000 cases reported in 2023 alone.
She urged all stakeholders to act collectively, warning that children are particularly vulnerable due to insufficient public awareness.
The First Lady called for increased funding and attention to TB, highlighting the need for more education on the disease.
She concluded by reminding everyone of the collective responsibility to eliminate TB and protect future generations from its deadly impact.
