The Wife of the Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mrs. Modupe Aisha Taiwo, has called on residents to prioritise early detection, proper treatment, and collective responsibility in the fight against Tuberculosis (TB), describing the disease as a persistent but preventable public health challenge.
Her call came as the council joined the global community to commemorate World Tuberculosis Day 2026 with a large-scale awareness walk and free medical outreach organised under the leadership of the Chairman, Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo.
Speaking during the sensitisation exercise, Mrs. Taiwo emphasised that despite being both preventable and curable, TB continues to affect many due to late diagnosis, poor awareness, and the stigma associated with the disease.
“Tuberculosis is both preventable and curable, yet many people still suffer due to late diagnosis and stigma. We must break the silence, encourage testing, and support those undergoing treatment,” she stated.
The outreach featured a road walk from the Council Secretariat to Oba Ojon Market in Iyana-Ejigbo, drawing attention to the urgent need for community-level engagement in tackling TB.
Health officials used the opportunity to educate residents on the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of the disease, reinforcing the importance of early medical intervention.
At the outreach site, residents benefited from a range of free healthcare services, including:
- TB screening
- Medical consultations
- Chest X-rays
- Blood pressure checks
- Blood sugar testing
- HIV screening and counselling
- General health education
Mrs. Taiwo urged residents to take full advantage of free testing services available at government health facilities, noting that early detection not only saves lives but also significantly reduces transmission within communities.
Programme Officer for Tuberculosis, Buruli and Leprosy (TBLS), Mrs. Adebayo Aderonke, outlined key symptoms of TB, urging vigilance among residents.
According to her, warning signs include:
- Persistent cough lasting more than two weeks
- Chest pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats
She advised anyone experiencing these symptoms to promptly visit the nearest health facility for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Mrs. Taiwo commended healthcare workers and development partners for their continued commitment to combating TB, noting that such collaborations are critical to strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
Residents who benefited from the outreach described the initiative as timely and impactful, praising the council for bringing essential healthcare services closer to the people.
The event was attended by key government officials and community stakeholders, including:
Vice Chairman/Supervisor for Revenue, Abimbola Nicholas-Ike, Secretary to the Local Government, Yemisi Otuyemi, Council Manager, Mr. Olusegun Ajagunna, Lawmakers Ifatunmise Adefioye Adedoyin and Muritala Rukayat Olabisi, Supervisor for Health, Saheed Kasumu, Supervisor for Information and Strategy, Akeem Omolumo, Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Kehinde Abdullahi, Medical Officer of Health and Dr. Ibrahim Yetunde
Also present were the CAN Chairman, Dr. Stephen Oyinlola; NYCN Coordinator, Comr. Femi Shomuyiwa; members of the Ward Health Committee (WHC); LGHA representatives; health officers; and officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), among others.
As the world continues to battle Tuberculosis, the Ejigbo LCDA initiative underscores the critical role of local governments in driving awareness, improving access to care, and mobilising communities toward disease eradication.
The message remains clear: early detection, community awareness, and sustained support are key to ending TB.
