FCT records 16,000 TB cases annually, achieves 94% treatment success rate

The Federal Capital Territory has recorded about 16,000 cases of Tuberculosis (TB) annually, with a treatment success rate of 94 per cent.

Director of Public Health at the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dan Gasama, disclosed this during a community outreach marking the 2026 World Tuberculosis Day in Abuja.

He noted that TB-related deaths have declined by about 64 per cent over the years, although the disease remains a significant public health concern both globally and nationally.

“Globally, an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB, with about 1.23 million deaths,” he said, adding that Nigeria remains among high-burden countries with a prevalence of 219 per 100,000 population.

Gasama revealed that Nigeria recorded over 467,000 TB cases in 2025—the highest ever—attributing the rise to improved detection through enhanced surveillance and community outreach.

He explained that early diagnosis and proper treatment contributed significantly to the high success rate recorded in the FCT.

The outreach, organised in collaboration with partners including Stop TB Partnership Nigeria and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, provided free screening and treatment services to residents of Mabushi and surrounding communities.

In her remarks, Jenny Momoh, speaking on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasised the need for sustained investment and collaboration to end TB.
“Ending TB requires sustained investment, innovation and a strong multisectoral response that leaves no one behind,” she said.
Health officials also urged residents to embrace early testing and adhere strictly to treatment, stressing that TB is curable when detected early.