The Federal Government has reiterated that tuberculosis (TB) is not caused by spiritual forces but by bacteria, emphasizing that it is both preventable and curable.
Deputy Director of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, Dr. Urhioke Ochuko, made this clarification on Saturday during a road show and awareness walk in Abuja to commemorate the upcoming World TB Day on March 24. Themed “Yes! We can end TB: Commit, invest, and deliver,” the event aimed at raising awareness about the disease and mobilizing resources for its eradication.
Ochuko stressed the need for early detection and treatment, urging individuals experiencing symptoms such as persistent coughs, chest pain, fever, weight loss, and night sweats to seek immediate medical attention.
He also reaffirmed that TB screening and treatment are free at government-owned health facilities.
“If anyone has been coughing for two weeks or more, has had a fever for more than two weeks, or is losing weight unintentionally, they should visit the nearest hospital for a TB test.
“ If diagnosed, they will receive free treatment. TB is not caused by superstition or spiritual forces but by germs, and it can be cured,” he stated.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Communication and Social Impact, Babafunke Fagbemi, also underscored the importance of continuous advocacy and improved healthcare access to combat TB.
She highlighted that Nigeria is among the top 10 countries with the highest TB burden worldwide, with over 400,000 recorded cases in 2024 alone.
Despite being preventable and treatable, TB remains a significant health threat due to low awareness, delayed diagnosis, and barriers to treatment access.
The government has called for increased commitment and investment in TB eradication efforts to ensure early detection and reduce transmission across communities.
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