WTD : FCTA Renews Commitment To Tackling Tuberculosis

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has pledged renewed determination to tackle Tuberculosis in the territory.

The Director of Public Health in the FCTA, Dr. Dan Gadzama made the commitment when stakeholders in the fight against tuberculosis converged on the Mabushi community in Abuja to conduct free testing and sensitization in commemoration of the 2026
World Tuberculosis Day.

Delivering a keynote address, Dr. Gadzama noted that despite being a preventable and curable disease, tuberculosis remains a major public health concern globally and particularly in Nigeria.

He described TB as one of the world’s oldest infectious diseasesciting global figures showing over 10.7 million infections and more than 1.2 million deaths, including about 150,000 among people living with HIV.

Dr Gadzama said thankfully, treatment success rates have reached 94 percent, while TB mortality in Nigeria also declined by 63 percent between 2016 and 2024.

According to him, “these achievements reflect improved case detection and stronger health system responses.”

Focusing on the FCT, the Director disclosed that in 2025 alone, over 40,000 presumptive TB cases were identified and screened, with 3,679 confirmed cases notified.

He stressed that, “These figures represent not just data, but lives that have been reached, treated, and saved.

He stressed that with declining global donor funding, Nigeria must strengthen domestic resource mobilization, prioritize TB funding, and empower communities to take ownership of the response.

Dr. Gadzama also underscored the link between TB and other conditions such as HIV, malnutrition, and poverty, noting that the outreach integrated TB screening with HIV testing, malaria services, and health education to ensure comprehensive care.

In a goodwill message, representative of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, Abolaji Akande joined the global community in reaffirming the centre’s commitment to a TB-free world.

He described the occasion as a moment of reflection and emphasized that ending TB is achievable through collective efforts of government, communities, and partners.

Akande commended health workers, laboratory scientists, community volunteers, policymakers, and partners for their dedication, noting that their efforts continue to save lives and drive progress in TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

While acknowledging advances in diagnostics, treatment, and community-centered care, he cautioned that many people still face challenges in accessing timely and quality services.

The representative of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program reaffirmed support for strengthening health systems, expanding access to care, and implementing evidence-based interventions to close existing gaps.

Other stakeholders at the occasion including representatives from the Association of Reproductive and Family Health, the Institute of Human Virology, among others called for renewed measures to protect vulnerable populations and ensure that all those affected by TB receive quality care with dignity.

Florence Adewale, Edited By Grace Namiji