TheCable

Oluremi Tinubu, the first lady of Nigeria, says there is a need to create awareness about tuberculosis and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention in children at the grassroots.

In a statement by Busola Kukoyi, special adviser on media to the first lady, Oluremi spoke on Tuesday during the side event organised by Concordia at the ongoing 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

She said Nigeria must prioritise awareness about the eradication of TB and AIDS at national, state, and community levels.

The first lady said the country has no reason to have high statistics of prevalent cases, adding that she would be soliciting the support of the governors’ wives to adopt improved measures to prevent the diseases in rural communities.

“Innovative approaches can be employed to develop effective methods for HIV prevention. Educational technology hubs, educational apps and digital platforms can all be used to disseminate accurate information specific to HIV care and control,” the statement reads.

“Advancement in testing facilitates early detection and prompt linkage to care thus preventing progression and transmission.

“Creative and culturally tailored age-appropriate interventions using technology and social media can promote and amplify safer sexual and reproductive practices.”

She said Nigeria has an existing activity for fighting TB through the national TB and leprosy control programme which is domiciled in the federal ministry of health.

“We need to get people to speak up and know that early detection makes it treatable and we need to see that stigmatization is removed,” she added.