Abuja reports 16,000 tuberculosis infections with cure rate reaching 94 percent

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) witnesses approximately 16,000 cases of Tuberculosis (TB) every year, with a treatment success rate of 94 per cent, a significant achievement in the fight against the disease.

n

Dr Dan Gasama, Director of Public Health at the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (FCT-HSES), revealed this information during a community outreach event held on Saturday in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 World Tuberculosis Day.

n

The outreach event was a collaborative effort between FCT-HSES, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), and other partners, all working together to raise awareness about TB.

n

According to Gasama, TB mortality has decreased by about 64 per cent over the years, despite the fact that the disease remains a major public health concern globally and nationally, affecting millions of people worldwide.

n

Globally, an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB, resulting in about 1.23 million deaths, including 150,000 among people living with HIV, highlighting the urgent need for continued action against the disease.

n

Nigeria, with a prevalence of 219 per 100,000 population, remains among the countries with the highest TB burden, while the FCT accounts for about 16,000 cases annually, a significant proportion of the national total.

n

In 2025, Nigeria recorded over 467,000 TB cases, the highest number ever recorded, which Gasama attributed to improved detection due to strengthened surveillance and community outreach efforts.

n

The FCT Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme made significant progress in 2025, identifying over 40,171 presumptive cases, out of which 3,679 were confirmed and notified, demonstrating the effectiveness of the programme's efforts.

n

Early detection and proper treatment have been crucial in achieving the 94 per cent treatment success rate recorded in the territory, according to Gasama, who emphasized the importance of continued community outreach and awareness-raising activities.

n

The 2026 commemoration focused on taking TB awareness, screening, and treatment services to high-burden communities, with hundreds of residents of Mabushi community benefiting from free screening for TB, malaria, and other ailments.

n

Medications were distributed to those in need, and severe cases were referred to hospitals, ensuring that those affected received the necessary care and support.

n

Dr Jenny Momoh, representing the World Health Organisation (WHO) FCT State Coordinator, Dr Jibrin Alkasim, delivered a goodwill message, reaffirming the organisation's commitment to ending TB and highlighting progress in diagnostics, treatment, and community-centred care.

n

She stressed the need for sustained investment and collaboration, emphasizing that ending TB requires a strong multisectoral response that leaves no one behind, a message that resonated with the audience.

n

Mrs Teresa Jatau, Programme Manager of TB Network, also spoke, underscoring the vital role of communities in combating the disease and urging residents to embrace early testing and adhere to treatment, as TB is curable when detected early.

n

The 2026 World Tuberculosis Day is themed "Yes, we can, we can end TB", a message of hope and determination in the fight against this devastating disease.