Sefinat Ododo, the wife of Kogi State Governor, has launched a new initiative aimed at eradicating tuberculosis (TB) within the state. The campaign, titled “Stop TB Partnership Nigeria,” was unveiled in collaboration with the Kogi State Ministry of Health on Thursday at the Lugard House, the state government’s headquarters in Lokoja.
During the launch, Hajiya Ododo emphasized the importance of the campaign in raising awareness and ensuring effective treatment for tuberculosis in Kogi State. She expressed her commitment to leveraging her position to lead the fight against TB, a preventable and curable disease that continues to affect many lives.
“Our collective efforts today will help to drive home the message that tuberculosis is preventable, treatable, and curable,” Ododo stated. She extended her heartfelt appreciation to all the partners, stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and communities who have come together to support the initiative. She urged everyone involved to remain committed, focused, and determined to make a significant impact in the fight against TB.
Ododo also announced that she has accepted the role of the ‘Stop TB Champion for Kogi State,’ and called on the wives of the 21 local government area chairmen to serve as Local Government Area (LGA) TB Champions. She expressed her dedication to being a role model and to expanding the campaign’s reach in order to curb the spread of TB across the state.
She further encouraged the people of Kogi State to undergo testing if they experience persistent coughing for more than two weeks, stressing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Ododo also took the opportunity to commend Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her leadership in the fight against tuberculosis. Earlier this year, Mrs. Tinubu was appointed as the Global and National Stop TB Ambassador, and during her investiture, she decorated the wives of state governors as TB Champions for their respective states, furthering the effort to reduce the impact of this treatable disease.
In his remarks at the event, Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adams Abdulazeez, highlighted the significant investments made by Governor Ahmed Ododo in the health sector, including the revitalization of primary healthcare centers across the state. He emphasized the governor’s commitment to expanding TB diagnostic and treatment services throughout the 21 local government areas.
Dr. Abdulazeez reiterated that tuberculosis remains a public health concern, but with early detection and proper treatment, it is both preventable and curable. He urged individuals experiencing persistent coughs for more than two weeks to seek testing and treatment promptly.
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