World Tuberculosis Day: 5 Nigerians Who Defeated The Disease

World Tuberculosis Day is observed every March 24 as a reminder to continue the fight against the world’s deadliest infectious disease, Tuberculosis (TB). This day is crucial in the ongoing battle against bacterial infections that primarily affect the lungs.

 Tuberculosis is a contagious airborne disease primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, most commonly affecting the lungs. A person only needs to inhale a few germs to become infected.

Tuberculosis spreads through airborne particles when an infected person coughs, spits, or sneezes. Due to its severe health, social, and economic consequences, this disease remains a global threat.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the bacteria that causes Tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has existed for millions of years and has been known by different names in different places.
However, the term ‘tuberculosis’ was first coined by Johann Schönlein in 1834.

5 Nigerians Who Survived This Disease

According to Institue Of Human Virology, Nigeria, they are all beneficiaries of the USAID TB Local Organizations Network (TB-LON3) program which rapidly scaled up access to tuberculosis services in Lagos, Osun, Ogun and Oyo states.

The five-year project, which started in March 2020 screened 11,940,892 for tuberculosis, identified 52,102 tuberculosis cases and placed 48,774 on treatment.

Zainab Muhammed

The 22-year-old had initially sought relief from her persistent cough by visiting a patent medicine store for cough syrup and taking herbal medicines when the symptoms lasted for two months. In January 2022, a community volunteer noticed her during routine community visits.

“The volunteer screened me and told me to go to Badagry General Hospital. Three days later she called me to follow-up. As at the time she called me, I had not gone to the hospital. Her call made me go to the hospital a week after.

At the hospital, they handed me a cup to produce sputum for a test. After the test, my diagnosis was positive for tuberculosis. A nurse at the hospital counselled me and gave me some medications for free. Initially, I thought the drug would not work, especially as I didn’t pay any money, but immediately I started taking the drugs, I saw a huge difference. I was getting better by the day.”

After six months, Zainab completed her course of medications. “Now I am free and very happy. I am advising anyone that coughs around me to allow themselves to be screened by the community volunteer. The test is free and treatment is free too,” she adds.

Agbodohonji Oluwatobi

17-year-old Agbodohonji Oluwatobi is a tuberculosis survivor. Her journey began when health workers visited her school, Ajara Comprehensive Senior High School, and talked about the symptoms of tuberculosis, such as coughing. “I realized I had been coughing, experiencing chest pain, and struggling to breathe, so I decided to give my sputum for testing,” Tobi explains.

The following week, she and her father received a call instructing them to go to the hospital for medication. Tobi began her tuberculosis treatment and is now feeling much better. “I’m doing fine now,” she adds with a smile.

Tobi aspires to become a nurse in the future, hoping to help people who are sick just as she was helped.

Gregory Bagwolo

Gregory Bagwolo has triumphed over drug-resistant tuberculosis. His ordeal began with a persistent “strange-sounding cough” that lasted for four months and didn’t improve with cough medicine. His mother became increasingly worried about his cough, his poor weight, and unusual sweats.

“He was so lean, despite eating well. We had no idea it was multi-drug resistant tuberculosis until a screening program was conducted at his school, Badagry Senior Grammar School. When I was told the result that Gregory had tuberculosis, I thought it was a spiritual attack, especially since his brother had recently suffered a dislocation that we were still managing,” Gregory’s mother recalls.

At just 10 years old, Gregory began treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis. However, he struggled with the side effects, including vomiting and weakness, and often hid his medication. With the encouragement of his mother and the support of friendly neighbors, Gregory eventually overcame his reluctance to take the drugs. He has now fully recovered and is doing well.

“If you’re coughing like I was, go get a tuberculosis test to check,” Gregory advises.

Esther Aremu

Esther Aremu was a frail, malnourished child when she arrived at Adeoyo Government Hospital in Ibadan in June 2021. With her father, a palm wine tapper, unable to afford her care, and her mother having passed away shortly after Esther’s birth, her situation seemed dire. Esther’s guardian, Mrs. Olayemi Aremu, had limited resources as well, having already spent what little money she had on feeding and caring for the malnourished girl.

Though Esther was thin and struggled to breathe, Mrs. Aremu was unsure of what was wrong. “When we found out it was tuberculosis, we were scared. At first, we thought there would be no treatment for it. We didn’t know that the tests and treatment were free. I felt such relief when I learned it was free!” shared Mrs. Aremu, a primary school teacher.

Esther received a free chest X-ray and stool test, and her treatment was completely free of charge.

The hospital, a DOT center for free tuberculosis treatment, is supported by the USAID Tuberculosis Local Organizations Network Region 3 (TB LON 3) project, implemented by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), which provides free TB screening and other vital services.

Six months later, Esther completed her treatment, underwent a free Gene Xpert test to confirm she was free of tuberculosis, and is now flourishing in good health.

Kadiri Latifu

In March 2022, Six-year-old Kadiri Latifu was finally able to access free treatment for tuberculosis at the DOT clinic at Adeoyo Hospital a relief to his mother, Mrs. Latifu Dada. As a widow and petty trader, she had spent thousands of naira on cough syrups and other medications, believing her son had malaria.

“Many nights, I stayed awake crying because Kadiri would cough all through the night. He looked so thin and sweated a lot. We tried different medications and even avoided foods like garri, beans, and coconut, thinking they aggravated his cough. But the cough persisted for over nine months. Sometimes, it would ease a bit, only to return again. It wasn’t until we began tuberculosis treatment at the DOT clinic at Adeoyo Hospital that we saw hope,” she explained.

Kadiri started his TB treatment and he is now approaching the end of his six-month treatment. “Look at him now; he’s doing so well. He’s eating well—his favorite food is bread, and he eats beans a lot,” his mother said, visibly relieved.

Mrs. Olapade Folashade, a DOT Officer at Adeoyo Government Hospital, noted that the collaboration with the IHVN USAID TB LON 3 project team of testers and contact tracers has been crucial in ensuring both adults and children remain healthy and preventing the spread of tuberculosis. “This partnership has greatly improved service delivery and patient outcomes,” she said.

Nigeria’s Fight Against Tuberculosis

Nigeria has taken several steps to curb tuberculosis (TB) over the years, although challenges remain.

The National TB Control Program (NTBLCP): This was established by the Nigerian government to coordinate TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control efforts across the country. This program has focused on increasing access to TB services and improving the quality of care.

DOTS Strategy: In line with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, Nigeria adopted the Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) strategy which ensures patients receive the correct medication and complete their treatment under supervision, improving treatment adherence.

Nigeria has taken several key steps to curb tuberculosis (TB), including increasing awareness through public health campaigns, providing free TB diagnosis and treatment, and improving diagnostic tools like GeneXpert for faster and more accurate testing.

For financial and technical support, collaborations with international organizations such as the WHO, Global Fund, and CDC have been crucial in strengthening Nigeria’s TB control programs.

TB and HIV services are integrated to address co-infection, and efforts to strengthen the health system include training health workers and improving reporting systems.

Despite progress, challenges remain, such as limited healthcare access, stigma, and drug-resistant TB, requiring continued investment and collaboration.