Friday, August 8, 2025 - FCTA Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environmental Issues, has praised Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her commitment to improving healthcare in the country.
Speaking at the commissioning of new tuberculosis (TB)
diagnostic machines, in Dutse Makaranta primary school in Abuja, Dr. Fasawe
described the First Lady as a champion for health, not just in the Federal
Capital Territory (FCT) but across the country.
“Our people don’t have to go to secondary hospitals anymore.
You don’t need to give blood. These machines are fast, safe, and solar-powered,
so even in communities without electricity, we can still test and treat.”
Dr. Fasawe highlighted the impact of the Renewed Hope
Initiative, which has empowered both women and men, and recently donated
uniforms and safety shoes to healthcare workers across all states in Nigeria.
She emphasized that the First Lady’s support for health
initiatives has been significant, particularly in the fight against
tuberculosis.
According to Dr. Fasawe, tuberculosis is a common disease in Nigeria, with alarming statistics showing that at least seven people die from TB every day, and over 100 people contract the disease daily.
She stressed that TB is preventable and treatable, and with the right
interventions, it can be ended.
Dr. Fasawe praised the First Lady for her support in
procuring new diagnostic machines that can quickly and accurately diagnose TB.
He noted that the machines have over 95% predictive positivity and are
solar-powered, making them effective and efficient. With these machines,
patients can be diagnosed and treated quickly, improving their quality of life
and preventing further transmission of the disease.
“If we could end polio, we can end TB,” she said. “With the
collaboration of health workers, royal fathers, religious leaders, and the
media, we can truly stop the spread.”
Dr. Fasawe emphasized that ending TB requires a
comprehensive approach, including education, early treatment, and preventive
measures. She noted that TB affects people with weakened immunity, including
those who are pregnant, stressed, or malnourished.
“You can have TB without even coughing. There’s TB of the
spine, TB of the bone. But once we catch it early, the patient starts improving
within days and within weeks, they’re cured. Nobody should die of TB.”
However, with the First Lady’s commitment and the support of
stakeholders, Dr. Fasawe believes that TB can be ended in Nigeria.
“Her Excellency has supported this cause with 2 billions
naira. With these machines and her intervention, more attention is being paid
to tuberculosis. We’re diagnosing faster, saving lives quicker, and bringing
healthcare closer to the people.”
“This event is not only timely but also a testament to the
unwavering support of the First Lady to championing healthcare interventions
that directly improve the lives of our people,” she said
Earlier in her remarks,the First Lady expressed delight in
fulfilling her pledge made earlier in the year during the World TB Day
community outreach in Sauka village. She had committed an additional N1 billion
through the Renewed Hope Initiative to support the fight against tuberculosis
in Nigeria. According to her, the commissioning of the new diagnostic machines
is a significant step towards bridging the gap in access to diagnostic tools
and ensuring that those infected with TB are quickly diagnosed and placed on
treatment.
The machines will be deployed across the country to enhance
rapid and accurate TB detection, especially in underserved areas.
Represented by the First Lady of Kwara State, Prof Olufolake
Abdulrazaq,the First Lady emphasized the importance of increasing and
sustaining domestic resources in Nigeria’s national TB response. She urged
stakeholders to intensify efforts in mobilizing domestic resources for
tuberculosis, stressing that ending TB in Nigeria requires not only machines
and medication but also human, financial, technical, and political resources.
As the global and national champion for TB, Senator Tinubu
assured that she will continue to advocate and lead the fight to end TB in
Nigeria by 2030. She commended the Coordinating Minister of the Federal
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, for his
commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s health system and advancing the national
TB response.
The First Lady expressed appreciation to the Stop TB
Partnership Nigeria for ensuring the judicious utilization of resources
mobilized for TB, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program
(NTBLCP), and all stakeholders for their tireless work. She emphasized the
importance of partnership and collaboration in the fight against TB, saying,
“Let us continue to stand shoulder to shoulder in this fight. “Together we will
build a Nigeria where no life is lost to tuberculosis, where health is not a privilege
but a right, and where our hope is both renewed and fulfilled.”
The commissioning of the new TB diagnostic machines marks a
significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against tuberculosis. With the support
of stakeholders and the commitment of the First Lady, Nigeria is one step
closer to achieving its goal of ending TB by 2030.
In her goodwill message, the FCT Minister of State, Dr.
Mariya Mahmoud, described the First Lady’s donation as a “bold and strategic
response” to Nigeria’s tuberculosis burden, especially among vulnerable
communities.
“This event is not only timely but also a testament to the
unwavering support of the First Lady to championing healthcare interventions
that directly improve the lives of our people,” she said.
She noted that the new machine would strengthen early
detection and expand access to life-saving services across the FCT.
“For us in the FCT, this intervention is a welcome boost to
our ongoing efforts to curb infectious diseases, promote community health, and
expand the reach of our diagnostic capabilities, especially in
underserved communities”.
0 Comments