The Ogun State Government has reassured residents of its commitment to free testing and treatment of tuberculosis (TB), while intensifying awareness on prevention and early detection in commemoration of World Tuberculosis Day.

Speaking during a sensitisation campaign in Abeokuta, the State Tuberculosis Control Programme Officer, Mrs. Olusola Taiwo, described the Day as a platform to educate the public, stressing that TB is curable and that testing services are available at no cost across designated health facilities in the State.

She explained that tuberculosis is an airborne disease transmitted through droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, warning that prolonged exposure in poorly ventilated environments increases the risk of infection.

Mrs. Taiwo disclosed that a persistent cough lasting two weeks or more remains the major symptom of TB, while other signs include fever, chest pain, loss of appetite and, in advanced stages, coughing up blood.

"We wish to use this opportunity to emphasise that early detection is quite critical. Availabe data shows that an untreated TB patient could infect between 10 and 15 people in a year. As such, residents must adopt preventive measures such as staying in well-ventilated environments, maintaining good nutrition, covering the mouth when sneezing and avoiding indiscriminate spitting. Our people should also go for testing because it is free," She said. 

The Programme Officer further commended the State Government for its sustained support in combating TB through regular sensitisation and screening, as well as collaborations with development partners including Damien Foundation, APIN Public Health Initiatives and Institute of Human Virology Nigeria.

In her remarks, a representative of APIN Public Health Initiatives, Dr. Oluwabunmi Adebayo, said the awareness drive forms part of ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of communicable diseases, particularly tuberculosis, which remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria and across Africa.

She noted that the campaign aims to bridge knowledge gaps, especially among residents unaware that treatment is free, encouraging individuals with symptoms such as persistent cough, night sweats or unexplained weight loss to visit health facilities for proper diagnosis and care.

Some residents who participated in the sensitisation walk, including Mrs. Adeola Olanipekun and Mr. Ismael Kafidipe, admitted to having limited prior knowledge of tuberculosis, but expressed readiness to undergo testing to ascertain their health status.