As part of series of activities to commemorate the 2024 World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, Ogun State Government, in collaboration with development partners, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders, organised a walk to raise public awareness and step up efforts to end TB epidemic.

 Speaking during the sensitisation walk in Abeokuta, Director, Public Health Department, Ministry of Health, Dr. Festus Soyinka, said the walk was to sensitise people about the disease, how to recognise it and what to do if they noticed any of the symptoms of the disease.

Dr. Soyinka disclosed that government was committed to educate the public on the disease through various public enlightenment programmes on the electronic media, outreaches, sensitisation walk, community engagement and other activities.

While urging residents to avoid overcrowded places as much as possible, he emphasised that the best way to curtail the spread of the disease was for anyone who might have coughed for more than two weeks to go for testing, assuring that TB treatment in government health facilities is free of charge.

On her part, Programme Officer, State Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (STLBCP), Mrs. Taiwo Olusola, assured residents that TB is curable, calling on other stakeholders to join hands with government, to checkmate the disease.

Also speaking, a representative of one of the development partners, Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN), Mrs. Florinda Olawusi, observed that the disease was being underdiagnosed in Nigeria, clamouring for continued collaboration to scale up awareness of TB among the populace.