By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Government, FG, at the weekend revealed that over 400,000 Nigerians enrolled for Tuberculosis, TB, treatment in 2024.Dr. Urhioke Ochuko, Deputy Director of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program, Department of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, revealed this at at a road walk in Abuja, to commemorate the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day, WTBD.

The Director, also urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts in tackling the preventable and curable disease. He emphasized the urgency and how imperative it is for stakeholders for renewed action in the country.The theme for this year’s commemoration, “Yes, We Can Hang TB. Commit, Invest, And Deliver,” with the slogan “We Fit Do Am,” underscores the need for collaboration across all sectors to finally eliminate TB in Nigeria.Dr. Ochuko said, “As a country, we must do all that is necessary to ensure that we end this deadly disease. Even though TB is treatable and curable, we still have work to do,”.Despite Nigeria’s progress in TB control, the disease remains a leading cause of death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis still claims at least one Nigerian life every five minutes, despite being entirely curable. The road walk served as a means of sensitizing Nigerians, particularly in marketplaces and other public areas, about the symptoms of TB and the importance of seeking medical care early.He said, “The whole essence of this exercise is to get people to know that TB is still with us. Anyone who has been coughing for two weeks or more, has a prolonged fever, or is losing weight unintentionally should visit the nearest hospital for a test. If diagnosed, treatment is free,”.Nigeria has made strides in TB detection and treatment. Dr. Ochuko revealed that over 400,000 Nigerians were enrolled in TB treatment in 2024, a significant improvement in case notification rates. However, with an estimated 500,000 new cases annually, the country is still working to bridge the gap in identifying and treating every infected person.To further accelerate TB control efforts, the government has recently deployed over 400 portable digital X-ray machines across both rural and urban communities to enhance screening and early detection.“These machines will be deployed nationwide, especially in underserved communities, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in the fight against TB,” Dr. Ochuko explained.The 2025 World Tuberculosis Day commemoration serves as a wake-up call for increased investment in TB control. The government and stakeholders continue to push for universal health coverage, ensuring that every Nigerian is screened, diagnosed, and treated at no cost.Dr. Ochuko remains optimistic that with sustained commitment and investment, Nigeria can achieve its TB eradication goals.“We have made good progress, but there’s still work to do. If we remain committed, invest in the right resources, and deliver on our strategies, we will defeat tuberculosis once and for all,” he concluded.With more awareness, community engagement, and enhanced healthcare interventions, Nigeria is on the path to making tuberculosis a disease of the past.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, on Tuesday raised alarm over 1.4 million people in Abuja, had malaria in 2024.The Mandate Secretary of the FCT, Health Services and Environment, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe who disclosed this, at the flag off of unbundling and distribution of malaria drugs and free test kits.

She said that is about 25% of the whole population in Abuja . She said malaria remains a killer of children under five and women. “Only one thing causes malaria, which is mosquito. If we can eliminate mosquitoes, we can eliminate malaria. However, the network of roads provided by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike have provided access to communities during emergencies. “Today, we have taken a decisive and deliberate action to fight malaria. Malaria remains a leading a cause of death among children under five and women. “Nigeria is responsible for 27 percent of global malaria prevalence, the highest figure in the world. A survey carried out by the World Health Organisation, WHO in 2024 says 1.4 million people of the population of FCT suffer from malaria. The FCT is between 5 to 6 million population, making it 5 percent of malaria prevalence.”Fasawe said Wike paid up the counterpart funding for FCT last year which enabled them to participate in the programme this year. She said the fight against malaria is a fight for life as in every five minutes, a child dies of malaria in Nigeria. “ We want to kick out malaria from the FCT and Nigeria as a whole.”She said that they have decided to completely eliminate malaria and that they are providing free test kits and free treatment with medicines.She also noted that a survey in 2024 shows that 60 percent of children presented in the FCT presented clear cases of of malaria. Assuring that all public health facilities in the FCT have been given free health kits and free drugs and that any facility found selling would be sanctioned. Also insecticide treated nets have been made available for distribution to pregnant women and nursing mothers. She reiterated that, malaria is a preventable cause of death and that treatment will reduce drastically cases of malaria. “The duration of the programme would be for two years while to keep drugs available all through the year, procurement would be carried out as at when needed”, she said. In his contribution, the acting permanent secretary of Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Abubakar Ahmadu said the programme would improve access to health care and reduce out of pocket money of the people. He urged health care practitioners to make judicious use of the kits and drugs. The representative of Famkris Healthcare Initiative, Dr. Maureen Ugochuku, one of the NGOs partnering with the FCT said malaria remained Nigeria’s most pressing public health challenge. She said the economic toll is equally devastating as households spend scarce resources on treatment, while businesses suffer during malaria attack. The project was co funded by the Islamic Development Bank.

The UN World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that severe funding cuts – particularly by the United States – are threatening decades of progress in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), still the world’s deadliest infectious disease.

The health agency highlighted that essential prevention, testing and treatment services  were  collapsing, leaving millions at risk.

The hardest-hit regions include Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific, where national TB programmes depend heavily on international support.

“Any disruption to TB services – whether financial, political or operational – can have devastating and often fatal consequences for millions worldwide,”  Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO Global Programme on TB and Lung Health, said in a statement on Wednesday.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, had on Feb. 24.  also raised the alarm over funding cuts, noting the immediate impact on key health programmes combatting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and cholera.

Over the past two decades, global TB programmes have saved more than 79 million lives, averting approximately 3.65 million deaths last year alone.

A significant portion of this success has been driven by U.S. Government funding, which has provided about $200 to $250 million annually – approximately a quarter of the total international donor funding secured.

The U.S. has been the largest bilateral donor for programmes combating the disease.

However, newly announced cuts for 2025 through executive orders will have devastating impacts on TB response efforts in at least 18 high-burden countries, where 89 per cent of expected US funding was allocated for patient care.

The impact will be particularly devastating in Africa, where treatment disruptions and staff layoffs could exponentially increase TB transmission rates.

Early reports from TB-affected countries indicate that funding constraints are already dismantling essential health services.

Among the most pressing concerns are health worker layoffs, drug shortages and supply chain breakdowns, data and surveillance systems are collapse, and disruptions to TB research and funding.

“Without immediate action, hard-won progress in the fight against TB is at risk. Our collective response must be swift, strategic and fully resourced to protect the most vulnerable and maintain momentum toward ending TB,” . Kasaeva said.

WHO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting governments and global partners in the fight against TB.

“In these challenging times, WHO remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting national governments, civil society and global partners in securing sustained funding and integrated solutions to safeguard the health and well-being of those most vulnerable to TB,” Kaeseva said. (NAN)