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In a landmark initiative to tackle tuberculosis (TB) in Lagos State, the First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, officially inaugurated the Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LGA/LCDA) TB Champions and Ambassadors, as well as Lagos State TB Steering Committee, and Lagos STOP TB Partnership at a high-profile event held at the First Lady’s Banquet Hall, Lagos House.

The ceremony, which witnessed the investiture of female chairmen and the wives of Local Government Area (LGA) and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chairmen as TB champions and ambassadors at their locality, inauguration of critical state actors as TB Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of policies and mobilization of resources to support TB control programs in Lagos and launch Stop TB Partnership, Lagos to foster collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders, creating a stronger response to TB, marked a pivotal step in the state’s commitment to eradicating TB.

In her address at the event, the First Lady emphasized the importance of collaboration and community leadership in the fight against TB, urging the newly appointed TB champions to focus on raising awareness, improving access to diagnosis and treatment, and dismantling the stigma surrounding the disease.

She emphasized the critical need for proactive measures to combat tuberculosis (TB) in the region. Highlighting the alarming statistics that indicate approximately 2.4 million Nigerians are affected by the illness, with Lagos alone accounting for about 32,000 cases, she called for immediate action from the newly invested female local government leaders and spouses of their male counterparts.

Sanwo-Olu also pointed out the significant role women play in advocacy and community health, stating, “Women are very powerful. The men are the heads, but the women are the neck.” She encouraged the female chairpersons to leverage their influence and mobilize resources to raise awareness about TB prevention and treatment.

Encouraging creative approaches to advocacy, she suggested using cost-effective methods such as community drawings, social media campaigns, and grassroots efforts to disseminate information. “Prevention is better than cure,” she reiterated, reminding the audience that both TB screening and treatment are free for those in need.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu further emphasized the need for collaboration across sectors, urging the champions to network and form platforms to share ideas and best practices. “Within 48 hours of your investiture, start taking action. You have a responsibility to your community,” she said.

She also highlighted the critical role that the STOP TB Partnership and TB Steering Committee would play in mobilizing resources and fostering collaborations across government, civil society, and community platforms.

In closing, the First Lady called for collaboration among community leaders, health officials, and philanthropists to tackle the TB crisis effectively. She urged the newly appointed champions to set clear targets and work diligently within their communities to ensure a healthier Lagos State.

Speaking in the same vein, the Lagos Commissioner for Health, Professor Abayomi disclosed that approximately 32,000 individuals in Lagos are currently living with undiagnosed TB, with only 515 cases identified so far this year. He urged the audience to recognize the severity of the situation, noting, “That means there are 15,000 people in Lagos right now walking around and living with tuberculosis that have not been diagnosed.” He emphasized the infectious nature of TB, warning that each untreated individual could infect up to 15 others annually, leading to a potential epidemic.

The Commissioner stressed the importance of community involvement in identifying and treating TB patients, stating that the local government chairpersons’ spouses could 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.

Professor Abayomi also provided an overview of treatment protocols, explaining that TB requires a rigorous regimen of antibiotics over six months and highlighting 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 what’s called drug-resistant tuberculosis,” he cautioned.

Earlier, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, reiterated the importance of community engagement in combating TB. She urged the newly invested female leaders to advocate for increased awareness and mobilize resources to support TB 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 a goal to end TB by 2035, Lagos State’s renewed commitment through these initiatives highlights the collective resolve to create a healthier, stigma-free society where every individual has access to quality healthcare.

The Chairman, Lagos TB Steering Committee, Dr. Abimbola Mabogunje stated that the establishment of the Stop TB Partnership and the TB Steering Committee are vital steps toward 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.

Calling for active engagement from all stakeholders and partners—health professionals, community leaders, and citizens—Dr. Mabogunje urged everyone to harness their collective strength to fight against tuberculosis. “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.

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