Ten TB molecular testing equipment have been provided by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who has also promised an extra ₦1 billion to help the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) combat TB.
The donation was given as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative and was made public during the commissioning of new TB diagnostic machines in the city of Abuja, Nigeria.
The First Lady reiterated her commitment to eradicating tuberculosis in Nigeria, represented by Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the wife of the governor of Kwara State.
“I pledged to donate an extra ₦1 billion through the Renewed Hope Initiative to help combat tuberculosis in Nigeria earlier this year during the World TB Day community outreach in Sauka village. Once again, I’m happy to see that this commitment has come to pass,” she remarked.
She said that although tuberculosis is treatable, it nevertheless causes unnecessary deaths since diagnostic tools are not widely available.
She went on to say, “TB is curable, but far too many Nigerians are still dying from it—not because there isn’t technology to detect it, but because there aren’t enough diagnostic tools available.”
“With the help of other stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Renewed Hope Initiative is working to close this gap, by God’s grace.”
For quick TB screening, especially in underprivileged areas, the recently commissioned equipment would be used across the country, she said.
She said, “They will ensure that those infected are promptly diagnosed and put on treatment, helping to break the dangerous chain of transmission.”
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She underlined the multifaceted character of the TB response while stressing that technology alone is not enough to combat the illness.
The Federal Ministry of Health, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program were also praised by the First Lady for their continuous efforts.
It takes more than just equipment and medicine to eradicate tuberculosis in Nigeria. According to her, it requires political, technical, financial, and human resources. In order to combat tuberculosis, I implore all parties involved to step up their efforts.
“Let’s keep supporting one another in this battle. In Nigeria, we will work together to eradicate tuberculosis and make health a right rather than a privilege, she said.
The First Lady, according to Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health and Environmental Services Secretariat, is “a champion for health in the whole country.”
Through the distribution of uniforms and protective gear, the Renewed Hope Initiative has empowered women and men and provided support to healthcare workers, she said.
Nigeria’s high TB burden was denounced by Fasawe, who stated, “According to statistics, at least seven people die from TB every day.” At least 100 people in Nigeria contract TB every day. We can prevent, treat, and eradicate tuberculosis, thus this is completely incorrect.
She emphasized the importance of the solar-powered, highly efficient, and rapidly detectable donated TB equipment.
They don’t need to draw blood from you. It is extremely simple. It is secure. It works well. Over 95% of these machines are predictively positive. Additionally, we have transportable, light-free chest X-rays,” she added.
The patient’s quality of life begins to improve as soon as tuberculosis is diagnosed and treatment begins, usually within a few weeks or even days. Additionally, the individual is completely healed of tuberculosis within a few weeks. We certainly can,” Fasawe continued.
In her public education, she also emphasized that people with compromised immune systems, such as pregnant women, undernourished people, and people under stress, are more vulnerable to tuberculosis.
The disease tuberculosis affects immunocompromised individuals. “It is also infectious,” she stated. “There is no cost to receive treatment. You are not required to pay for an order.
Dr. Fasawe commended the First Lady’s dedication as she wrapped up. She declared, “We can eradicate tuberculosis with this determination and Her Excellency’s dedication.”
