The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to combating tuberculosis (TB) by expanding access to free treatment and diagnostic services, including chest X-rays and specialized TB diagnostics for children.

This pledge was highlighted at the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day commemoration held at Kulende Market, Sango, Ilorin, by the First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq. The event underscored the state’s efforts to prioritise early detection and treatment to curb the spread of the disease.

Addressing attendees through her representative, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Opeloyeru, Director General of the Ajike People Support Center, the First Lady urged residents to promptly report suspected TB cases in their communities. Early intervention, she stressed, is critical to safeguarding public health and preventing transmission.

The Health Ministry’s initiatives include free diagnostic screenings and treatment, reflecting a broader strategy to eliminate TB as a public health threat in Kwara State.

Addressing this year’s theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” she encouraged both the Hausa and Yoruba communities in the area, to actively participate in TB awareness efforts and ensure timely case reporting.

She emphasized that collective action between government and the public is crucial to save lives, through early detection and prevention.

In his remarks, Chairman, House Committee on Health and the House member representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency, Hon. Seun Oguniyi, urged Sango residents to take full advantage of government’s TB intervention programs, in their own interests.

He therefore, reaffirmed his committee’s commitments to working with the State Ministry of Health, to eradicate quackery in the health sector.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam who was represented by the Director of Pharmacy, Pharmacist Barakat Olanrewaju, further reiterated government’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders, to ensure that TB diagnosis and treatments remained completely free of charge to patients.

“The state currently has 646 Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) Centers across both public and private health facilities. Plans are therefore underway, to double this number, to ensure TB services reach every community, in Kwara State.” El-Imam stated.

She then expressed a profound gratitude to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for approving free health insurance coverage for TB patients and four of their family members, with access to treatments for various health conditions throughout the year.

The event was attended by key stakeholders, including spouse of the Executive Chairman of Ilorin South Local Government, Hajia Hawawu Abdulmajeed Podo, the Vice Chairman Mrs. Mary Abiodun and community leaders among others.