Lagos First Lady, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu commissions tuberculosis treatment centre in Surulere; says it is crucial to reduce burden of infection.
Lagos First Lady, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu commissions tuberculosis treatment centre in Surulere; says it is crucial to reduce burden of infection.
The Lagos State first Lady, Dr. Claudiana IBIJOKE Sanwo-Olu on Thursday, commissioned Tuberculosis Treatment Centre at the New Era Junior Girls Secondary School in Surulere.
The project is under the Lagos Health District IV School Health programme
Speaking at the event, Dr. Claudiana IBIJOKE Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Governor of Lagos State, said establishing Tuberculosis Hospitals and dedicated centres in Lagos is crucial due to the state’s high burden of infection, which is driven by its dense population, urban challenges, and the need for specialized care to address multi drug resistant cases.
In a press statement by Michael Opute, Public Relations Officer of Lagos Health District IV, she stated that establishing Tuberculosis Hospitals and dedicated centres in Lagos is decentralizing care and reducing stigma, improving detection and treatment rates.
She noted that Lagos as a major economic hub has a high density of people which increased Tuberculosis transmission rates, emphasizing that Nigeria is ranked first in Africa and sixth in the world for Tuberculosis and Lagos State contributes significantly to the high rate.
She noted that Tuberculosis treatment and diagnosis are provided for free by the Government to reduce the economic burden on patients, who otherwise might not afford treatment cost.
The first Lady noted that Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the first Lady of Nigeria is the National Ambassador for Tuberculosis, while she and other committee members are Advocates of Tuberculosis in Lagos.
She advised the students that if they notice anybody coughing for too long, like two weeks or more, they should show love to the person by asking the person to go for a tuberculosis check saying that’s the only way to end Tuberculosis in Lagos State.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the principal, New Era Junior Girls Secondary School, Mrs. Omotosho Rosemary, appreciated the Lagos first lady for the initiative of the Tuberculosis Treatment Centre established in the school
She noted that the centre is crucial for providing immediate emergency care, reducing students’ absenteeism, and offering a safe, quiet space for students with injuries or illnesses.
It ensures safety through professional nursing staff, helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and offers crucial peace of mind to parents.
Dr. Fadare Folashade, the Medical Director, Harvey General Hospital gave the overview of Tuberculosis, emphasising that Tuberculosis is a contagious, airborne bacteria infection primarily affecting the Lungs.
She added that it can also attack the brain, kidneys, or spine. According to her, it is both preventable and curable, but if left untreated, active Tuberculosis can be fatal.
Dr. Fadare also mentioned the two types of Tuberculosis, the Latent Tuberculosis, while the bacteria live in the human body in an inactive state, there will be no symptoms, and the person will feel perfectly fine , and cannot spread the disease to others.
“However, it can develop into active Tuberculosis later in life, while active Tuberculosis, the bacteria multiplies in the human body, making you sick, people with active Tuberculosis disease can spread the bacteria and are contagious.
The dignitaries present at the commissioning are, Dr. Abimbola Bowale, Permanent Secretary Lagos State Health District IV, Dr. Fadare Folashade, Medical Director Harvey General Hospital, Hon. Yussuf Bamidele, Chairman Surulere Local Government, Dr. Oludolapo Sotunde, Director Medical Services and Disease Control, health District IV, Dr Oni Titilayo Director Planning Research and statistics, health District IV Pharm. Adeniji M.B, Director Pharmaceutical services, health District IV, Nurse Balogun Taiwo Director Nursing services health District IV, Mrs. Omotosho Rosemary Director Education and Principal New Era junior girls secondary school surulere.
