Oyo State Government Launches Free TB Testing and Screening Campaign

To commemorate World Tuberculosis Day, the Oyo State government has launched a free Tuberculosis (TB) testing and screening campaign across all 33 local government areas of the state.

World Tuberculosis Day is observed annually on March 24th to raise awareness about the devastating impact of TB and to mobilize efforts to end the preventable and curable disease.

Speaking at the event held at the Ibadan North Local Government Secretariat, Agodi Gate, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, stated that despite progress made, TB remains a significant global health challenge and the world’s deadliest infectious disease, requiring urgent and responsible action. He affirmed the Oyo State government’s commitment to raising awareness about TB’s impact and encouraging early diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Akin Fagbemi, Chairman of the Oyo State Hospital Management Board, reiterated the state’s commitment to fighting TB, emphasizing Governor Makinde’s administration’s efforts to eliminate the disease in the state.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ajetunmobi, described TB as a curable airborne disease and a major cause of illness. She noted that Nigeria ranks 6th among the 30 countries with a high TB burden globally, and 1st in Africa, with Oyo State positioned 13th among the high TB burden states in Nigeria.

Dr. Ajetunmobi emphasized that World Tuberculosis Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness, review progress, and renew commitment to eliminating preventable and curable diseases. She highlighted that TB, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affects the lungs and spreads through the air when infected individuals cough, sneeze, talk, or spit, releasing infectious droplets. Untreated individuals with active pulmonary TB can infect an average of 10 to 15 people annually.

In 2024, Oyo State clinically screened 641,414 individuals for TB, testing 200,935 and diagnosing and treating 14,930 cases, including 738 patients co-infected with TB and HIV. Dr. Ajetunmobi stated that these statistics highlight the need for sustained interventions to detect, treat, and prevent the spread of TB.

Dr. Ajetunmobi added that Governor Seyi Makinde has prioritized healthcare as a key pillar of his administration. The government, in collaboration with development partners, has established free TB services in 774 health facilities across the state.

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She then announced the commencement of a statewide community-based free TB screening and testing campaign, urging residents with persistent coughs to take advantage of the opportunity to get screened, tested, and treated at no cost.

The Commissioner also expressed appreciation to the World Health Organization (WHO), Damien Foundation Belgium, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), APIN Public Health Initiatives, Christianah Olawumi Foundation (COF), religious groups, occupational groups, civil society organizations, the media, and other partners for their collaboration in fighting TB in Oyo State.