The Kogi State Government on Wednesday unveiled a campaign aimed at eradicating tuberculosis in the state.

The campaign tagged “Stop TB Partnership Nigeria Champions” is being carried out by the Kogi Ministry of Health.

In her remarks during the “Stop TB Champion” in Lokoja, wife of the Kogi State governor, Sefinat Ododo, promised to use her office to stop the scourge of tuberculosis in the state.

The wife of the governor noted that the campaign represented a vital step towards raising awareness and ensuring effective treatment for TB in the state.

She stated, “Our collective efforts today will help to drive home the message that tuberculosis is preventable, treatable and curable. I extend heartfelt appreciation to all the partners, stakeholders, health care professionals and communities who have come together to support this initiative. As we embark on this campaign, let us remain committed, focused and determined to make a difference. I am honoured to accept the call to serve as the ‘Stop TB Champion for Kogi State,’ and I am using the opportunity to call on the wives of the 21 local government areas’ chairmen, to serve as LGA TB champions.”

She promised to remain a model to all, and pledged her dedication to up-scaling the campaign in order to curb TB scourge in the state.

According to her, the campaign represents a vital step towards raising awareness and ensuring effective treatment for those affected by TB across the state

She advised residents of the state to go for testing if coughing persists more than two weeks for early diagnosis and treatment.

Mrs Ododo further commended the President’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for taking the lead to be the ambassador of the Global and National Stop TB champion, earlier this year.

She noted that Mrs Tinubu, had during the investiture, decorated the wives of governors, as TB Champions for their states, to raise awareness and further ensure that the treatable disease was tackled.

In his remarks, the Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adams Abdulazeez, said the state government invested a lot into the health sector including the revitalisation of primary health care centres in the state.

Mr Abdulazeez emphasised that the government was determined to provide more TB diagnostics and treatment services centres across the 21 local government areas of the state.

The commissioner noted that the disease had remained a public health concern though preventable, treatable, and curable if detected early and treated properly.

He therefore called on people with persistent coughs for more than two weeks to get tested.

Mr Abdulazeez appreciated the President’s wife and the wife of the Kogi State governor for the initiative, and cascading the campaign in the state.

He assured that the protection of the rights of those with the disease would not be compromised.

Similarly, TB National Professional Officer, WHO, Dr Hananiya Dauda, noted that about 8000 persons were diagnosed and treated of TB in Kogi State in 2023.

Mr Dauda appreciated the wife of the state governor for the initiative to end TB in the state and promised WHO support for the campaign.

Also speaking, Dr Mayowa Joel, the Executive Secretary, TB Partnership Nigeria, commended Mrs Tinubu and Mrs Ododo for their commitment to the health and well-being of the people of Kogi State.

The representatives of nongovernmental organisations, religious and traditional leaders, donor partners, in their goodwill messages, commended Mrs Tinubu and Mrs Ododo for the initiative.

(NAN)