Lagos First Lady rallies grassroots leaders for tuberculosis prevention campaign
Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has announced a significant initiative aimed at bolstering grassroots advocacy in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) across the state.
The campaign, set to be launched on Tuesday, includes the official introduction of the STOP TB Partnership in Lagos and the inauguration of the Lagos State TB Steering Committee.
Central to this effort will be the investiture of 10 female Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen and 47 wives of LGA and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chairmen, positioning them as frontline advocates in the campaign to eradicate TB.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the Lagos House, Alausa-Ikeja, Dr. Sanwo-Olu outlined the state’s vision for engaging local leadership in raising TB awareness and promoting early detection efforts.
“These leaders are closest to the people,” she said, emphasizing their critical role in combating misconceptions about TB and encouraging health-seeking behaviors. “Tomorrow’s investiture empowers them to lead this fight against tuberculosis.”
The First Lady highlighted that Lagos faces a significant TB burden, with 18,541 cases recorded in 2023 alone, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
As part of the strategy to reverse this trend, the newly launched STOP TB Partnership will unite key stakeholders, including public and private sectors, alongside international partners, to bolster TB control efforts.
The TB Steering Committee will be responsible for implementing strategies to reduce transmission and improve healthcare outcomes across the state.
In addressing the larger challenges posed by TB, Dr. Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the role of poor living conditions in the spread of the disease, particularly in densely populated areas such as slums and military barracks. She stressed the importance of improving sanitation and housing as part of the broader fight against the disease.
The First Lady also emphasized the need for a collaborative approach, urging stakeholders across various sectors—including healthcare, education, infrastructure, and law enforcement—to support the TB prevention initiative.
She called for active involvement from religious organizations, community leaders, and private entities to help break the stigma surrounding TB and raise awareness.
Diagnosis and treatment for TB, she noted, are free and available across the state at over 301 Primary Healthcare Centres, 30 General Hospitals, and several private hospitals offering Directly Observed Therapy Shortcourse (DOTS) services.
She encouraged anyone experiencing symptoms, such as a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, to seek medical care immediately.
The upcoming investiture and inauguration ceremony, scheduled to take place at Lagos House, Alausa, is expected to bring together top officials, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders. The event is seen as a pivotal moment in Lagos State’s ongoing efforts to curb TB and improve public health.
“This is not just a ceremony,” Dr. Sanwo-Olu emphasized. “It is a call to action. Together, we will make a significant impact in the fight against TB, not only in Lagos but across Nigeria.”
Dr. Abimbola Mabogunje, Chairman of the Lagos State TB Steering Committee, also spoke at the briefing, highlighting the unique role of the female chairmen and the wives of LGA/LCDA chairmen in shaping grassroots TB response.
“Their perspectives and strengths will be invaluable in driving community engagement, awareness, and treatment,” she said.
The launch event is expected to mark the beginning of a new chapter in Lagos State’s TB prevention efforts, as key players from both the public and private sectors join forces to address one of the state’s most pressing public health challenges.
