By Umar Faruk Birnin Kebbi
Hajiya Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris, First Lady of Kebbi State and Stop Tuberculosis Champion, has distributed 42 motorcycles and two Hilux vehicles to surveillance and response officials of the state Tuberculosis team. The vehicles were donated by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).
At the ceremony, Hajiya Zainab emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts to prevent and eradicate tuberculosis in Kebbi State. She highlighted the need to strengthen surveillance, especially in hard-to-reach areas, to ensure no one is left behind in the fight against TB.
“These vehicles will improve mobility for health workers, enabling them to reach remote areas, identify TB cases earlier, and provide necessary follow-up treatments,” she said. “We must continue to raise awareness about TB symptoms and treatment, reduce stigma, and ensure access to testing and free treatment.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that tuberculosis remains a significant public health concern, with 2.5 million people falling ill with TB in the African region in 2022 . The WHO End TB Strategy aims to reduce TB deaths by 90% and new cases by 80% by 2030.
Dr. Moses Onoh, Technical Official for Tuberculosis at the WHO, commended Hajiya Zainab’s efforts and advised officials to use the vehicles effectively.
The Commissioner for Health, Comrade Yunusa Musa Isma’il, praised the donors and the First Lady for their support.
This initiative demonstrates Kebbi State’s commitment to combating tuberculosis and ensuring quality healthcare for its citizens.
For more information on tuberculosis prevention and treatment, visit the World Health Organization (WHO) website.
