Journée mondiale de la tuberculose : Randonnée en montagne pour mettre fin à la tuberculose

ABUJA, Nigeria — Over 100 activists, students, and health advocates braved a grueling 12,000-foot mountain hike on March 24, 2025, in a bold effort to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB), a disease that continues to devastate communities across Africa. Organized by Equitable Medicaid and Clinical Research a non-profit organization, the event blended physical endurance with public education, aiming to dismantle stigma and spread lifesaving information about TB prevention and treatment.

The hike, led by Ras Vincent Judah Shekari, a Rastafari community leader, included participants from Baze University, TB advocacy groups, and public health experts. At the summit, Dr. Ruth Faasema, a public health expert, thanked participants in a heartfelt address. “Every step you took today was not just about reaching the peak, it was a step toward a world free from tuberculosis,” she said, emphasizing TB’s preventable nature. Her speech blended urgency with local resonance: “That cough fit no be ordinary cough oo, e fit be TB. Go and checkam oo!” — a nod to Nigeria’s Pidgin language to drive home the need for testing.

Emmanuel Olashore, a TB program specialist with 17 years of experience, led an interactive session highlighting Nigeria’s progress and challenges. He confirmed that TB medication remains free in government hospitals but stressed that many patients still face barriers. “Free drugs mean nothing if people don’t know where to get them or fear being shunned,” he said. Attendees later engaged in a Q&A, with participants questioning how TB is spread or support peers battling the disease. He explained how TB spreads through the air, stressing that children in crowded households or malnourished environments face higher risks. “One untreated case can infect 15 others in a year,” he said, urging communities to support, not isolate, affected families.
Africa bears 23% of the global TB burden, according to 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) data, with Nigeria ranking among the world’s top 10 countries for TB cases. In 2024, Nigeria reported roughly 479,000 new infections and 154,000 TB-related deaths, a slight decline from previous years but still alarming. Weak health infrastructure, delayed diagnoses, and underfunding persist: Nigeria’s TB programs received only 30% of the $373 million required for effective control in 2024.

Ras Vincent, the hike leader, wove cultural symbolism into the event, explaining Rastafari beliefs about birth months and their connection to communal health. “Just as each month has its energy, every person has a role in healing our society,” he told the group during a rest stop.

The 12,000-foot climb, though physically demanding, mirrored the uphill battle against TB. Participants unfurled banners at the peak reading “Yes! we can end TB: commit, invest, deliver” while sharing stories of lost relatives and recovered survivors.
Despite progress, health experts warn that TB funding gaps and misinformation threaten to reverse gains. Less than 60% of Nigerians with TB are diagnosed, and drug-resistant strains are rising. “Events like this hike are critical,” said Olashore. “When people unite around a cause, governments listen.”

As the group descended, Baze University student echoed the sentiment. “I’m telling everyone: get tested, don’t hide. This hike showed me we’re stronger together.” For now, the message is clear: defeating TB requires more than medicine—it demands unity, education, and relentless effort.