The call was made by Mrs. Modupe Aisha Taiwo, wife of the LCDA Chairman, during activities organised to commemorate World Tuberculosis Day 2026. The event featured an awareness walk and a free medical outreach spearheaded by the council chairman, Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo.
Addressing participants, Mrs. Taiwo described tuberculosis as a persistent public health challenge despite being both preventable and curable. She stressed that late diagnosis and societal stigma continue to hinder effective control of the disease, urging residents to break the silence around TB and support those undergoing treatment.
The sensitisation campaign included a road walk from the Council Secretariat to Oba Ojon Market in Iyana-Ejigbo, aimed at educating the public on the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of tuberculosis.
At the outreach venue, health officials provided a range of free medical services, including TB screening, consultations, chest X-rays, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, HIV testing, counselling, and general health education. The initiative was designed to improve access to healthcare services at the grassroots level while encouraging early detection.
Mrs. Taiwo encouraged residents to take advantage of free testing services available at government health facilities, noting that timely diagnosis not only improves treatment outcomes but also reduces transmission within the community.
She also commended healthcare workers and development partners for their continued efforts in strengthening primary healthcare delivery and combating TB at the local level.
Providing further insight, the Programme Officer for Tuberculosis, Buruli and Leprosy (TBLS), Mrs. Adebayo Aderonke, outlined common symptoms of TB, including a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and night sweats. She advised individuals experiencing such symptoms to seek medical attention promptly.
Residents who benefited from the outreach praised the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful, particularly for bringing essential health services closer to the community.
The event was attended by several local government officials, health professionals, and community stakeholders, reflecting a coordinated approach toward raising awareness and strengthening the fight against tuberculosis in the area.