Kwara First Lady calls for an end to tuberculosis
The Kwara State First Lady, Ambassador (Prof) Olufolake AbdulRazaq, on Thursday inaugurated Local Government Tuberculosis Champions (LGTC),
This is as the first lady distributed two Hilux buses and 32 motorcycles to aid the campaign against tuberculosis across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.
Speaking at the official investiture ceremony of the Local Government Chairady and spouses of Local Government Chairmen organised by the Kwara State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the office of the First Lady, Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq acknowledged the fact that tuberculosis remains a significant public health challenge, not only in Nigeria but around the world.
Mrs AbdulRazaq, while charging the newly inaugurated champions to remain united in their mission to eradicate tuberculosis and ensure a healthier environment, also enjoined them to embrace their roles with passion and commitment.
Ambassador AbdulRazaq also called on the spouses of Local Government Chairmen to form a common front against the deadly disease to ensure a healthier future for Kwarans.
She said, “Regrettably, many people who have this disease do not know and may only get to know when severe complications set in. This, however, underscores the need for increased awareness, sensitisation and advocacy, particularly at the grassroots levels.”
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“Additionally, through the Ajike People Support Centre, we have been able to increase sensitisation on TB for the people of Kwara State so that affected persons can get free testing and free drug treatment, which has helped to improve their livelihood. Efforts are also ongoing to ensure that TB and HIV are captured under the Kwara State Health Insurance Scheme.” She added.
She continued, “Let us leverage the support of our partners, engage our communities and strengthen our healthcare systems. Your position as first Ladies in the Local Government Areas will lend a unique voice to this cause, and your leadership will undoubtedly galvanise greater awareness and action in this regard.
Earlier in her remarks, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed-El-Imam, said apart from investiture of the Local Government Champions, there would be commissioning of new tools like portable digital X-ray machines and vehicles to accelerate case detection, reporting and treatment of TB.
El-Imam explained that providing vehicles and motorcycles is a game-changer in the government’s fight against tuberculosis, emphasising that the resources would enhance the government’s ability to reach out to underserved communities.
While appreciating developmental partners’ roles, the Commissioner called for stakeholder synergy to combat Tuberculosis.
Also speaking, the representative of the Emir of Ilorin and Balogun Alanamu, Dr Abubakar Jos, talked about the danger of Tuberculosis and called for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to combat the disease.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Acting Board Chairman, Stop TP Partnership, Dr Queen Ogbuji-Oladipo, representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Emmanuel Eyitayo and State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, applauded the First Lady for her efforts, stressing it’s a testament to the move towards eradicating Tuberculosis in the state.
