FCTA LAUNCHES MAJOR TB SCREENING CAMPAIGN IN ABUJA
By: Khadijat Kawunda
In commemoration of World TB Day 2026, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through its Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), has launched a week-long tuberculosis (TB) screening and awareness campaign across Abuja’s six area councils.
The initiative is being implemented by the Public Health Department’s Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme, in collaboration with the Federal Agency for the Control of Pandemics (FASCP), the FCT Malaria Elimination Programme, and the Health Promotion and Education Division.
The outreach began on Monday, March 23, 2026 at Kwaita Hausawa in Kwali Area Council, where healthcare teams conducted community sensitization, screening, and testing for Tuberculosis.
Activities have also taken place in Gwagwalada Area Council and Sauka Kahuta settlement in Lugbe (AMAC), with plans to extend to other area councils throughout the week.
Earlier sensitization efforts were held from March 11 in several locations, including Gwagwalada Market, the Kukwaba (Kubwa) community in Bwari Area Council, Karshi Muslim Forum Primary School, and Ummu Hanni International School in AMAC.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about TB symptoms, prevention, and treatment, while reducing stigma and promoting early detection. Residents are being encouraged to seek medical attention if they experience persistent symptoms and to maintain proper personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness to curb the spread of TB and other infectious diseases.
This year’s theme, “YES! We Can End TB, Led by HSES FCTA, Powered by FCT Communities!”, emphasises grassroots engagement, community ownership, and access to free healthcare services as key strategies for eliminating TB.
Healthcare workers are using advanced diagnostic tools to test residents and link confirmed cases to treatment.
The initiative also reflects Nigeria’s progress in TB control, with treatment coverage improving significantly from 20% in 2018 to over 80% in recent years.
Members of the public are encouraged to take advantage of the campaign, as TB screening, testing, and treatment remain free in all government hospitals across the FCT.
