By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel
Federal Capital Territory, FCT, recorded about 16,000 cases of Tuberculosis, TB, annually, with treatment success rate reaching 94 percent.
This was made known on Saturday by the Director of Public Health, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCT-HSES, Dr Dan Gasama, at a community outreach to commemorate the 2026 World Tuberculosis Day in Abuja.
The outreach was organised by FCT-HSES, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, NTBLCP, and other partners.
Gasama said TB mortality had reduced by about 64 percent over the years, noting that the disease remains a major public health concern globally and nationally.
“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 added that Nigeria recorded over 467,000 TB cases in 2025, the highest ever, attributing improved detection to strengthened surveillance and community outreach.
According to him, early detection and proper treatment contributed to the 94 percent treatment success rate recorded in the territory.
Gasama said the FCT Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme also recorded significant progress in 2025, identifying over 40,171 presumptive cases, out of which 3,679 were confirmed and notified.
He explained that the 2026 commemoration focused on taking TB awareness, screening and treatment services to high-burden communities.
Hundreds of FCT residents benefited from free screening for TB, malaria and other ailments, while medications were distributed and severe cases referred to hospitals.
In a goodwill message, a representative of the World Health Organisation, WHO, Dr Jenny Momoh, and the FCT Coordinator, Dr Jibrin Alkasim, reaffirmed the commitment to end TB.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager of TB Network, Mrs Teresa Jatau underscored the role of communities in combating the disease.
She urged residents to embrace early testing and adhere to treatment, noting that TB is curable when detected early.
The 2026 World Tuberculosis Day has as theme: ‘Yes, we can. We can end TB.’
