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

She stated this at the media investiture of female chair persons of local councils, 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 chairpersons 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 marked a significant milestone in the collective fight against TB.

The governor?s wife 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 densely populated city.

She said: ?The role of chairmen, the female chairpersons and wives of our local government area chairmen is crucial as having grassroots advocacy, TB awareness initiatives, advocacy reforms and sustainable budgetary lines to be implemented every year to ensure realistic care planning for the community is put in plan 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 self and the environment. The establishment of the STOP TB Partnership and the TB Steering Committee marks a significant milestone in our health agenda.

?It aims at strengthening the existing TB control programmes, birth new TB partnership in the public-private sector, collaborate and mentor other state TB partnership. ?According to the World Health Organisation?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 every 30 seconds and 479,000 people with TB disease in Nigeria in 2023 and 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 state government has ensured that it cleared the gutters and ghettos.

She called for collaboration with all stakeholders, including development partners, implementing partners, collaborating partners, healthcare professionals, community leaders, citizens, banks, philanthropists, religious bodies, politicians, law enforcement, legislators, Iya Olojas and the media, among others, to produce new SOPs and protocols to eliminate the stigma associated with TB and ensure that people go and receive the needed support. (Daily Sun)

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