More Action Required to End TB in Nigeria – Aisha Buhari

Mrs. Buhari, who is the Global Stop TB Champion and Ambassador, called for more efforts to create awareness among the populace in order to stop the spread of the disease; saying TB is treatable and curable and that both testing and treatment are free in Nigeria; she therefore called on all Nigerians to take advantage of this opportunity and have themselves tested, especially if they have prolonged coughs.

She pledged to organize a conference of wives of Governors in Nigeria to brief them on the problem of TB to enable them take the campaign to the grassroots. She also plans to convene a meeting of first ladies from high-burden countries in order to fast track access to information and control measures.

Speaking earlier, Deputy Director, Global Stop TB Partnership, Geneva, Dr. Suha Savunand thanked Mrs. Buhari for playing the role of a Global Stop TB Champion and Ambassador, saying the partnership is enjoying her leadership. He said Nigeria is making efforts in various ways; and as a high burden country, the Partnership is joining Nigeria this year to commemorate the World TB Day on the 24th of March and witness the launch of the Nigerian Parliamentary TB Caucus.

The meeting had Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo and Wife of the Nasarawa State Governor, Dr. Mairo Almakura in attendance. Dr. Savunand was accompanied by officials of Stop TB Partnershp in Nigeria, including the Board Chair, Dr. Loveth Lawson.