Nigeria’s First Lady commissions TB diagnostic machines, calls for local funding to end epidemic

DDM News

(DDM) – Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has restated her commitment to eradicating tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria by 2030, through bold investments and advocacy for improved health services nationwide.

Speaking at the commissioning of new molecular diagnostic machines in Bwari, Abuja, on Thursday, the First Lady, represented by the wife of the Kwara State Governor, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, said the event marked the fulfillment of a ₦1 billion pledge made during the 2025 World TB Day outreach in Sauka Village, FCT.

She explained that the newly acquired TB machines would be distributed to underserved communities across the country, where they are expected to provide fast, accurate diagnosis and help break the cycle of transmission.

Tuberculosis remains one of Nigeria’s deadliest infectious diseases, despite being curable.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health, the country records about 350,000 cases annually, with thousands of deaths resulting from late detection and poor awareness.

The First Lady emphasized that although technological tools are vital, a sustained fight against TB requires far more—including financial resources, human capital, and political commitment.

She stated, “Tuberculosis is curable, but far too many Nigerians are still dying from TB, not because we lack the tools, but because people can’t access them.”

She called for greater domestic investment in health, urging state governments, private sector partners, and international donors to continue funding TB detection and treatment efforts.

Oluremi Tinubu, who also serves as Nigeria’s and Africa’s regional TB champion, vowed to keep advocating for equitable healthcare and systemic reform to end TB.

She praised the Federal Ministry of Health and the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria for their accountability and commitment to driving progress.

“Let us build a Nigeria where health is not a privilege but a right,” she said.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, hailed the First Lady’s leadership, saying she had delivered “decisively” in both national and continental roles.

He revealed that the new TB machines would be integrated into Nigeria’s primary healthcare system to increase access, and that over 46 million primary care visits were recorded in the first quarter of 2025, a sign of growing public trust.

Professor Pate reiterated the federal government’s plan to equip health workers, improve incentives, and decentralize TB services.

The Director of Public Health, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, explained that the new TB machines would drastically reduce diagnostic delays, with results now obtainable within 30 minutes.

He described the deployment as a “turning point” in Nigeria’s battle against TB.

Despite free treatment availability, Dr. Ntadom lamented that delayed diagnosis and low awareness continue to fuel preventable deaths and community transmission.

He noted that Nigeria carries the highest TB burden in Africa and remains one of the top 10 most-affected countries globally.

The WHO Medical Field Epidemiologist for FCT, Kumshida Balami, described the commissioning as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to equity, innovation, and resilient healthcare.

She said political will, community involvement, and cross-sector partnerships were key to making TB history in Nigeria.

“Ending TB is not a distant dream, it is an achievable reality within our lifetime,” she affirmed.

Balami called on civil society, private businesses, government agencies, and international partners to keep funding and supporting TB services so that no patient is left behind.

The event also highlighted the Renewed Hope Initiative’s broader focus on universal healthcare and social inclusion as drivers of public well-being.

With Thursday’s launch, the government signals a stronger stance on infectious disease control, aiming to not only save lives but also restore public confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

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