The Federal Capital Territory records an estimated 16,000 cases of tuberculosis annually, with health officials reporting a treatment success rate of about 94 percent.

The Director of Public Health at the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Dan Gasama, disclosed this on Saturday during a community outreach in Abuja to mark the 2026 World Tuberculosis Day.

The event was organised in collaboration with Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, and other partners.

Gasama said tuberculosis-related deaths had dropped by approximately 64 percent over time, but stressed that the disease remains a significant public health challenge both in Nigeria and globally.

He noted that worldwide, about 10.7 million people fall ill with TB annually, with an estimated 1.23 million deaths, including 150,000 among people living with HIV.

According to him, Nigeria remains among countries with a high TB burden, with a prevalence rate of 219 cases per 100,000 people. He added that the country recorded over 467,000 TB cases in 2025, the highest on record, attributing the increase in detection to improved surveillance and expanded community outreach.

The outreach in Abuja focused on increasing awareness and providing screening and treatment services in high-burden communities. Residents of the Mabushi area benefited from free screening for tuberculosis, malaria and other illnesses, while those with serious conditions were referred for further medical attention.

Representing the World Health Organisation in the FCT, Dr. Jenny Momoh reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at ending tuberculosis. She highlighted progress in diagnosis and treatment, while calling for stronger investment and collaboration across sectors.

She emphasised that eliminating TB requires sustained commitment, innovation and a coordinated response that ensures no one is left behind.

Also speaking, the Programme Manager of TB Network, Mrs. Teresa Jatau, urged communities to play an active role in combating the disease by encouraging early testing and strict adherence to treatment.

Health experts say tuberculosis remains curable when detected early, and they continue to call for increased awareness, timely diagnosis and community participation in the fight against the disease.