Bori Community Rallies Against Tuberculosis on World TB Day
Residents of Bori came out in their numbers, as St. Mercies Healing Hands Hospital and led a major awareness campaign to mark World Tuberculosis Day 2026, laying emphasis on the global message: “Yes! We Can End TB.”
The outreach, held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, brought together health professionals, community members, and key stakeholders in a coordinated effort to educate the public on the dangers of tuberculosis and the importance of early detection and treatment.
Leading the campaign, the hospital’s Medical Director, Baribefii Nwizia, described tuberculosis as a persistent global health threat that requires urgent and collective action.
“This is not just a campaign; it is a wake-up call. If we fail to act now, we risk passing this burden on to future generations,” he warned.
He noted that despite decades of global intervention, tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases, particularly in developing nations like Nigeria. According to him, millions of new cases are recorded yearly, with over a million deaths, even though millions of lives have been saved through treatment since 2000.
Nwizia explained that tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium transmitted through the air when infected individuals cough, sneeze, or speak, putting those in close contact at risk.
“About one in ten people with latent infection could develop active TB if not properly managed,” he stated.
He, however, reassured residents that the disease is both preventable and curable, adding that screening, diagnosis, and treatment services are available free of charge.
“We want people to know that TB is treatable. Early detection saves lives, and these services are accessible,” he said.
The Medical Director also highlighted ongoing collaborations with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme and support from partners like the Global Fund, which have expanded TB services beyond public hospitals to private clinics, pharmacies, and community based providers.
The awareness drive forms part of global efforts to curb the spread of tuberculosis, reinforcing the belief that with sustained commitment and community participation, the disease can be eliminated.
