Governments, healthcare providers, communities, and individuals have been urged to stand together in the fight against Tuberculosis, Support those battling the disease, encourage screening and treatment, and speak up against stigma in all its forms.
In a message from the Centre for HIV/AIDS and STD Research (CHISTRE) on World TB Day 2025, This year's theme, "Yes! We Can End TB!", is a call to action, reminding world leaders that with collective effort, innovation, and unwavering determination, TB can be eliminated because it is a preventable and curable disease.
According to the Executive Director of, the Centre for HIV/AIDS and STD Research (CHISTRE), Nduka Ozor, Tuberculosis has continued to affect millions worldwide, particularly in vulnerable communities. Yet, one of the greatest barriers to TB care is stigma.
" Many people suffering from TB face discrimination, fear, and isolation which hinder their access to treatment and support, saying that the cycle must be broken". he said
He explained further that, "TB is not a curse, nor a death sentence it is a disease that can be treated and cured, advising that, " No one should feel ashamed or afraid to seek care".
Executive Director, of Journalists Against AIDS, JAAIDS, Ms Laide Akanni, wants the federal government to prioritize the health of the citizens, especially with the withdrawal of funding by the United States government which is the highest global funder.
Ms Akanni stated that sincere commitment from political office holders, religious and community leaders and making a recommitment to creating more awareness and support to end Tuberculosis would bring hope to the people as several commitments made before now by world leaders have not been realized.
" There were commitments made that countries will be contributing a significant amount to end TB by 2027, The funding landscape on Tuberculosis across the globe is changing and that's why leaders need to step up more than ever before, it also means that we need to invest more domestic resources to enable us to meet the target ". Akanni
"Tuberculosis has affected millions worldwide, particularly in vulnerable communities, Yet, one of the greatest barriers to TB care is stigma".
She called on those who have tested positive for TB to take their drugs religiously to avoid infecting their loved ones.
" Treatment is free in government hospitals across the country, adhere to it and complete the treatment, because people who are in close contact are at risk so that they don't have active TB, adding that, they will place them on what is called, " TB Preventive Therapy".to prevent themselves from the onset of TB," she advised
To support the campaign, the Steering Committee for TB, Office of the wife of the Lagos State governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwoolu, D.r Folasade Fadare has mandated that chairpersons and wives of Chairmen to lead the mobilization of volunteers to drive the sensitization for treatment and prevention in households, schools, worship centers and the hard - to - reach areas, among other levels of the grassroots.
Dr Fadare who identified stigma as one of the reasons for denial appealed to anyone who coughs for up to two weeks to present themselves for screening, assuring that early treatment leads to a cure within one and six months.
In an interview, Lagos State TB Coordinator, TB People, Mrs Oluseyi Kadiri, described the group of survivors as veritable assets to awareness creation, advocacy on access to medication and adherence as well as protection of the rights of patients, because, " they have seen it all and are capable of sharing their experiences to encourage others ".
Secretary of Lagos State Stop TB Partnership, Dr Ime Okon, clamored for creative strategies by stakeholders to ensure more cases are detected to meet the fifty thousand annual target towards elimination of Tuberculosis in lagos.
" If we must get it right, all hands must be on deck, people.must speak up so action can be taken. But we will not rest on our oas untill we achieve our aim ".
At a forum in Lagos, the Manager, the State TB and Leprosy Control, Dr Olusola Sokoya, pointed out that, Lagos has contributed over three billion naira on Tuberculosis Prevention and this has increased the detected cases from eight thousand in 2019 to over nineteen thousand in 2024.
" Solving stigmatization and discrimination will reduce the Tuberculosis scourge by fifty percent, assuring that more drugs for the treatment of Tuberculosis will arrive in the country in weeks". He promised
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