18,541 Lagos residents suffering from tuberculosis — Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu

The wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has raised the alarm over the prevalence of Tuberculosis (TB) in the state, saying available statistics show that the number of people suffering from the deadly infectious disease has surged to 18,541.

The governor’s wife stated this at the media investiture of female chairmen, wives of the Local Government Area (LGA) and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chairmen, and the inauguration of the TB Steering Committee and STOP TB Partnership, Lagos, held at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu explained that the investiture of the 10 female chairmen and 47 chairmen’s wives of the state’s 20 Local Government Areas, 37 Local Council Development Areas, the inauguration of the STOP TB Partnership, Lagos, and the OFFIL Lagos Steering Committee on TB marks a significant milestone in the collective fight against Tuberculosis.

The Lagos State First Lady, who is also a TB champion and ambassador, said the disease poses a serious threat to public health globally and in Lagos State, which is a highly densely populated city.

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu said, “The role of chairmen, the female chairmen, and wives of our Local Government Area chairmen is crucial as grassroots advocacy, TB awareness initiatives, advocacy reforms, and sustainable budgetary lines need to be implemented every year to ensure realistic care planning for the community is put in place from the onset.

“The new inductees will educate, promote health-seeking behaviour, debunk myths, and mobilise resources to foster community TB prevention among the populace. Health is wealth. Health is preventive. Health is taking charge of oneself and the environment. The establishment of the STOP TB Partnership and the TB Steering Committee marks a significant milestone in our health agenda.

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“It aims to strengthen the existing TB control programs, birth new TB partnerships in the public-private sector, collaborate and mentor other state TB partnerships.

“According to the World Health Organization’s Global Tuberculosis Report of 2023, in 2022, an estimated 10.6 million people (5.8 million men, 3.5 million women, and 1.3 million children) fell ill with TB worldwide, 2,480,000 people with TB in Africa, with one person infected every 30 seconds, and 479,000 people with TB disease in Nigeria in 2023, including 18,541 Lagosians with TB in 2023.”

She said TB is preventable and curable if detected early and treated properly, adding that in Lagos State, the government has ensured that gutters and ghettos are cleared.

She called for collaboration with all stakeholders, including development partners, implementing partners, healthcare professionals, community leaders, citizens, banks, philanthropists, religious bodies, politicians, law enforcement, legislators, iya olojas, media, and others to produce new SOPs and protocols to eliminate the stigma associated with TB and ensure people receive the support they deserve.