Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State government will, on Tuesday, induct 10 female chairmen and 47 chairmen’s wives of 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas as ambassadors to combat the rising cases of tuberculosis.
According to the Lagos State First Lady, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu at a briefing on Monday ahead of the investiture of Female Chairmen/Wives of the Local Government Area (LGA) and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairmen, and the inauguration of TB Steering Committee and STOP TB Partnership, there is a need to create more awareness at the grassroots on the danger of tuberculosis.
The First Lady said according to the 2022 World Health Organization’s Global Tuberculosis Report of 2023, an estimated 10.6 million people, including 5.8 million men, 3.5 million women and 1.3 million children, fell ill with tuberculosis worldwide.
She added that in Africa, 2,480,000 people were affected with the disease and Nigeria had a record of 479,000 in 2023 out of which Lagos State recorded 18,541.
She however said in 2024, the number of people suffering has increased to 32,000 in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu further said council chairmen has important roles to play in sensitizing the people at the grassroots.
“The new inductees will educate, promote health seeking behaviour, debunk myths and mobilize resources to foster community TB prevention among the populace,” the First Lady said.
She added that the establishment of the STOP TB Partnership and the TB Steering Committee which has eight members will strengthen the existing TB control programmes of the state government.
She urged Lagosians to visit hospitals both private and government owned if they have a cough that extends beyond two weeks for treatment, adding that tuberculosis is presentable and curable if urgently attended to.
Dr Rotimi Agbolagorite in his technical report said tuberculosis is a highly infectious disease.
“It is airborne, affects the lungs and spreads to other parts of the body. It can be cured if detected early and preventable. It is one of the diseases of concern to Lagos State. Nigeria is ranked 6th out of the first 30 countries affected by TB. The disease is no respecter of social class which is the reason we need awareness at the grassroots for people to seek urgent treatments,” he said.