As part of its series of activities to commemorate the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, the Ogun State Government has organized a walk to sensitize members of the public about the disease.

The World Tuberculosis Day, which is marked on March 24 annually across the world, is leveraged by governments, development partners, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to raise public awareness and to step up efforts to end the global tuberculosis (TB) epidemic.

Speaking during the Sensitization walk in Abeokuta, the State's capital city, the Director, Public Health Department, Ministry of Health, Dr. Festus Soyinka said the walk was aimed at providing awareness for residents to know what TB is, how to recognize it, and what to do if they noticed any of the symptoms of the disease.

He said the government, in collaboration with its partners, had leveraged the World TB Day for the year 2024 to educate the public through various means such as public enlightenment on media, outreaches, sensitization walk, community engagement, and other activities.

While urging residents to always avoid overcrowded places as much as possible, Dr. Soyinka emphasized the need for anyone who might have coughed for two weeks or more to immediately go for testing, adding that this was the best way to curtail the spread of the disease.

He acknowledged that the prevailing situation of the country might be a deterrent for some people to go for testing, assuring the public, however, that TB testing and treatment in government health facilities are completely free.

The representative of one of the state partners, Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN), Mrs. Florinda Olawusi, observed that the disease is currently being underdiagnosed in Nigeria, calling for continued collaboration to scale up awareness of TB among the populace.

On her part, the State Programme Officer, the State Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (STLBCP), Mrs. Taiwo Olusola, said the government would continue to assure residents that TB is curable, and that other stakeholders should join hands with the state to end the disease within the shortest possible time.