The Federal Government, on Saturday told Nigerians that tuberculosis was not caused by spiritual forces, and it can be cured.

The government also restated that TB screening and treatment were free in government-owned health facilities.

Deputy Director, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, Dr Urhioke Ochuko, stated this during a road show and awareness walk in Abuja to commemorate the World TB Day themed, “Yes! We can end TB: Commit, invest, and deliver.”

World TB Day is commemorated March 24 annually to raise awareness on TB, and to mobilise efforts, including political commitment to resources and healthcare financing for TB towards elimination.

Ochuko said the road walk was to encourage Abuja residents to seek medical attention if they experience persistent coughs, chest pain, weakness, weight loss, night sweats, and other TB symptoms.

He noted that TB was preventable and curable, stressing the need for early detection and treatment to stop its spread.

“If anyone that is coughing for two weeks or more, or has fever that has lasted for more than two weeks or is losing weight unintentionally, they should seek care at the nearest hospital closer to them so that they can be tested.

“If they are found to have TB, they will be treated for free. So the whole essence is to say that TB is still with us. It is not caused by superstition, it is not caused by spiritual forces, it is caused by germs that can be cured, he stated.”

On her part, the Executive Director of Centre for Communication and Social Impact, Babafunke Fagbemi, noted that there was an urgent need for sustained advocacy, community engagement, and improved access to healthcare services to combat TB.

Fagbemi said, “Nigeria is among the top 10 high-burden countries for TB worldwide. According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, over 400,000 TB cases were recorded in 2024 alone. Despite being preventable and curable, TB remains a leading cause of illness and death due to low awareness, delayed diagnosis, and barriers to treatment access.

Credit: punchng.com

TB not caused by spiritual forces, says FG

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