Salako Reiterates Nigeria’s Commitment To Eradicate Tuberculosis in 2030
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has said that the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to eradicate tuberculosis is not only unwavering and unflagging but also unflinching.. He stated this on Monday, March 24, at Sauka community in Abuja at an outreach to commemorate the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day. Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge across the globe with Nigeria, one of the high burden countries contributing 4.6% of the global burden. This challenge is further exacerbated in the country by factors such as stigma and discrimination against those affected by TB, poverty, malnutrition, overcrowded living conditions, and inadequate access to quality healthcare services.
Despite these challenges, Salako said, Nigeria is making giant strides in her TB eradication drive. With the tenacious implementation of WHO-recommended strategies, the National TB & Leprosy Control Programme in collaboration with it’s esteemed partners have made significant improvement in Nigeria’s TB response.
“We recorded our highest-ever TB notification of over 400,000 cases in 2024, translating to a case detection rate of 79%. Additionally, TB notification among children has seen remarkable improvement, rising from 8,293 in 2018 to about 43,000 in 2024. Your Excellency, with your permission, may I request all of us to give a resounding round of applause to all those gallant health workers and our partners for this remarkable achievement. Let me reassure you that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, remains committed to achieving the global End TB targets. In line with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative; the strategic blueprint for the health sector and the TB National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2021 – 2026, we have intensified efforts to further strengthen TB screening, diagnosis, treatment and preventive services across the country.
“The President has directed and provided the enabling environment for primary healthcare revitalization with over 10,000 primary healthcare centres currently being upgraded and 120,000 healthcare workers at the PHC levels being exposed to ongoing training. We are expanding TB screening, diagnostic and treatment services in both public and private health facilities in line with the universal health coverage agenda of the government. We are strengthening community engagement, providing enhanced social protection packages for TB patients and their families”, Minister said.
He said the use of digital tools, mobile technology, and artificial intelligence is being expanded to enhance surveillance, case management, and adherence to TB treatment. He added that about 400 Potable digital x-ray equipment are currently being deployed to communities and health facilities nation-wide to facilitate prompt screening and early diagnosis of TB especially in underserved communities. He assured the people that in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria will NOT slow the world down in the “End TB by 2030 agenda”.
“To our traditional rulers, leaders and community members as exemplified today by members of Sauka community, I call on you to join hands with government to eliminate the scrouge of TB that holds our people down and impede socio-economic development. This year’s World TB Day theme, “YES! WE CAN END TB – COMMIT. INVEST. DELIVER,” along with the slogan “WE FIT DO AM”, is a clarion call to all stakeholders; government at levels, funding and technical partners, the media, private sector, civil society organizations, and the general public to unite in this fight”, Salako added.
The Minister expressed appreciation to the wife of the President, who is the Global and National Stop TB Champion, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, who was present at the event for her unwavering support in the efforts to eradicate TB in Nigeria and beyond. salako saluted her personal committed and involvement in the end TB campaign which has brought it more profoundly to the attention of Nigerians and is playing a pivotal role in mobilizing the public to seek early diagnosis, adhere to treatment regimes and support those affected. He said Senator Oluremi Tinubu has helped communicating unambiguously that TB is not a death sentence, it can be prevented, it can be treated.
