The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has continued to grapple with a high burden of tuberculosis, recording roughly 16,000 cases each year, even as authorities report a commendable 94 per cent treatment success rate.
This was revealed by Dr. Dan Gasama, Director of Public Health at the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (FCT-HSES), during a community outreach held in Abuja to mark the 2026 World Tuberculosis Day.
The outreach, organised in collaboration with Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), and other stakeholders, aimed to expand awareness and provide direct health services to residents.
Gasama noted that deaths linked to TB have dropped significantly by about 64 per cent over time, though he stressed that the disease still poses a serious health threat both in Nigeria and worldwide.
“Globally, an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB, with about 1.23 million deaths, including 150,000 among people living with HIV.
“With a prevalence of 219 per 100,000 population, Nigeria remains among high TB burden countries, while the FCT accounts for about 16,000 cases annually,” he said.
He further disclosed that Nigeria documented more than 467,000 TB cases in 2025—the highest figure so far—explaining that improved surveillance systems and intensified community outreach were responsible for better detection rates.
According to him, prompt diagnosis and adherence to treatment protocols have largely driven the FCT’s impressive 94 per cent treatment success rate.
Providing further insight, Gasama stated that the FCT Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme made notable strides in 2025, identifying over 40,171 suspected cases, with 3,679 eventually confirmed and officially recorded.
He added that this year’s campaign emphasised bringing TB awareness, screening, and treatment closer to communities with high infection rates.
Residents of Mabushi community turned out in large numbers to benefit from free medical checks, including TB and malaria screening. Medications were distributed on-site, while individuals with critical conditions were referred for further care.
Delivering a goodwill message, Dr. Jenny Momoh, who represented the World Health Organisation (WHO) FCT State Coordinator, Dr. Jibrin Alkasim, reiterated the agency’s dedication to eradicating tuberculosis.
She pointed to advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and patient-focused care, while calling for sustained commitment and joint action across sectors.
“Ending TB requires sustained investment, innovation and a strong multisectoral response that leaves no one behind,” she said.
In her remarks, Mrs. Teresa Jatau, Programme Manager of the TB Network, highlighted the importance of grassroots participation in the fight against the disease.
She encouraged residents to seek early testing and strictly follow treatment guidelines, emphasising that TB is curable when detected in time.
The 2026 World Tuberculosis Day carries the theme: “Yes, we can. We can end TB”.
