– Push Creative, Digital Strategies to End TB
Stakeholders in Lagos State have decried the level of undetected TB cases in the state, disclosing that out of an estimated 30,000 cases, only about 16,000 have been identified, leaving a significant number within the community capable of spreading the disease.
The stakeholders including the First Lady Dr (Mrs) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi; and Permanent Secretary, Health Service Commission and Chairman of the TB Steering Committee, Abimbola Mabogunj, called for an intensified awareness campaign with the use of creative content and digital tools to accelerate efforts to end the disease.
They stressed that community-based officers and grassroots workers must serve as “foot soldiers” in the fight against TB, urging them to remain resilient despite field challenges, while amplifying accurate information to underserved populations.
They made the submission during the awareness walk organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady’s TB Steering Committee, in commemoration of World Tuberculosis Day 2026, reaffirming the state’s commitment to ending the disease through collective action.
Dr Sanwo-Olu, who was the keynote speaker at the event, emphasised the need for intensified awareness and innovative strategies to combat tuberculosis, noting that the disease remains both preventable and curable.
Highlighting the importance of early education, the First Lady advocated deliberate engagement of students in TB advocacy, noting that early sensitisation through creative content and digital strategies would help disseminate accurate information within communities and reduce misinformation.
Sanwo-Olu further revealed that TB treatment typically lasts between four to six months, warning that failure to complete treatment could lead to drug-resistant TB, which may require up to 18 months of intensive care.
Speaking on financing, she called for sustainable funding models beyond donor support, urging innovative approaches such as trust funds and integration of TB services into health insurance schemes to ensure continuity of care.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, described tuberculosis as a major public health concern in Lagos due to its contagious nature and the state’s dense population.
He explained that TB is transmitted through the air and often presents with symptoms such as persistent cough, fever, weight loss and night sweats, urging residents to seek medical evaluation promptly when such symptoms occur.
Prof. Abayomi disclosed that Lagos records about 24,000 TB cases annually, with approximately 16,000 identified, leaving a significant number undiagnosed and contributing to ongoing transmission within communities.
He warned against drug-resistant TB resulting from incomplete treatment, stressing adherence to Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), while also calling for an end to stigma, which discourages patients from seeking care.
In her contribution, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, described the commemoration as both symbolic and strategic, bringing together critical stakeholders to renew commitment to ending TB.
She noted that Lagos State has made strides through improved surveillance, expanded diagnostic capacity and increased access to treatment, while emphasising that tackling TB requires addressing social determinants such as poverty and overcrowding.
Dr Ogunyemi commended development partners, including international organisations and civil society groups, for their continued support and urged sustained investment, innovation, and community engagement.
The Permanent Secretary, Health Service Commission and Chairman of the TB Steering Committee, Abimbola Mabogunje, described TB as a persistent public health and socio-economic challenge requiring collective action.
She emphasised early detection, adherence to treatment and community support, urging Lagos residents to eliminate stigma and work towards a TB-free society.
Also speaking, the National Professional Officer of the World Health Organisation, Vivian Ibiezoko, commended Lagos State for expanding access to TB services, including rapid testing and community-based interventions.
She, however, called for increased financing, improved diagnostic access, enhanced surveillance systems and stronger social protection to sustain progress and ensure equitable healthcare delivery.
Other partners, including the Stop TB Partnership, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, and Damien Foundation, reiterated their commitment to supporting Lagos State through collaborative efforts aimed at improving case detection, treatment and community awareness.
They noted that tuberculosis remains a major health challenge but affirmed that with sustained partnerships, innovation and public participation, the goal of ending TB is achievable.
In her closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dayo Lajide, commended the First Lady for her leadership as TB Ambassador, as well as healthcare workers and stakeholders for their dedication.
She also acknowledged the resilience of TB survivors and patients undergoing treatment, encouraging them to remain committed to completing their medication while assuring continued government support.
The 2026 World TB Day in Lagos State, themed “Yes! We Can End TB: Led by countries, Powered by people,” concluded with a renewed call for collective responsibility, as stakeholders pledged to intensify efforts towards eliminating tuberculosis across the state.
