By Stephen Adeleye.
The wife of Kogi State Governor, Hajiya Sefinat Ahmed Usman Ododo, has promised to use her office to stop the scourge of Tuberculosis (TB) in the state.
Hajiya Ododo gave the assurance during the launching of “Stop TB Partnership Nigeria Champions” in collaboration with Kogi State Ministry of Health on Wednesday at Government House in Lokoja.
The Kogi first lady noted that the campaign represented a vital step towards raising awareness and ensuring effective treatment for TB in the state.
“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 21 local government areas Chairmen, to seve as LGA TB champions,” Mrs Ododo said.
The Kogi first lady promised her commitment to remain a model to all, and her dedication to stepping down 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 the people to go for testing if coughing persist more than two weeks for early diagnosis and treatment.
Mrs Ododo further commended the Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for taking the lead to be the ambassador of the Global and National Stop TB champion, earlier this year.
Kogi first lady stressed that Mrs Tinubu, had during the investiture, decorated the wives of governors, as TB Champions for their states, to raise the awareness further and ensure that the treatable disease is brought to the barest minimum.
In his remarks, the Kogi Commissioner for Health, Dr Adams Abdulazeez, said Gov. Ahmed Ododo, had invested a lot into the health sector including the revitalisation of primary health care centers in the state.
Abdulazeez stressed that the governor 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 concerns 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 go and get tested.
Abdulazeez appreciated the Nigeria’s first lady for the initiative, and Hajiya Ododo for cascading the campaign in the state, assuring that protection of right of those with the disease would not be compromised.
On his part, Dr Hananiya Dauda, TB National Professional Officer, WHO, noted that about 8000 persons were diagnosed and treated of TB in Kogi in 2023.
Dauda appreciated the Kogi first lady for the initiative to end TB in the state and promised WHO’s supports for the campaign.
Also speaking, Dr Mayowa Joel, the Executive Secretary, TB Partnership Nigeria, commended Mrs Tinubu and Hajia Ododo for their commitment to the health and well-being of the people of Kogi.
Joel commended the Kogi first lady for making the program to be the best in Nigeria compared to all other States across the country, and assured the his total support for the agency and the program in Kogi.
The representatives of non governmental organisations (NGOs), religious and traditional leaders, donor partners, in their goodwill messages, commended Mrs Tinubu and Mrs Ododo for the initiative.
The highlights of the occasion was the cultural display, playlets on TB campaign and flag off of the TB Partnership champions by Hajia Sefinat Ododo.
