The African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” is a reminder that it takes collective efforts to ensure that no child is left behind in the fight against tuberculosis in Nigeria.
With funding support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GF), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) is working with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) and partners across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory to find and treat tuberculosis in children and adults.
Three-year old Faithful Dam is one of the children identified with tuberculosis by the Global Fund GC7, Nigeria TB-HIV Reach Integration and Impact Project (N-THRIP program). More than 60,0000 children have been identified from January 2024 till date under the project. Faithful is now TB free after completing six months of treatment. His story is one of collective efforts and resilience to fight tuberculosis.
Faithful’s experience with tuberculosis started in April 2025 when his mother, Gloria Dam, noticed swollen lymph nodes all over his neck. She wondered what to do about the hard swellings and went to a nearby patent medicine store where she obtained antibiotics.
The antibiotics she got were only the beginning of several medications which drained her family’s income. When his health did not improve, she got more worried and asked family, friends and neighbours what to do.
“Some told me to rub palm oil on him, others said it was spiritual and I should take him to the village for prayers. Some said I should press the swollen area with hot water. Faithful did not get better after she tried herbs and local therapies. I was frustrated, tired and had several sleepless nights. I did not even think that it could be tuberculosis because nobody around me has had tuberculosis. I used to think that tuberculosis only infects people who smoke,” Gloria said.
She shunned pressure to go to spiritualists and rather went to a nearby Primary Health Center. Gloria discovered that the health care workers at the center were on strike, so she went to Garki Hospital in Abuja.
The TB Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) Officer at the hospital, Salome Chijioke recalled that when Gloria stepped into the TB DOT Clinic in August 2025, she was crying and her baby was weak with a high fever.
“When they came, we reassured them that they have come to the right place. A Gene Xpert test and Chest Xray were conducted for Faithful which showed that he had tuberculosis,” Salome said.
Gloria was sad when she heard the diagnosis but relieved to know that TB is curable. She was also happy that when Faithful commenced treatment, he showed signs of improvement.
The path to health was not one that she walked alone. Her husband provided moral support and care for her and Faithful while Faithful’s siblings also cooperated when he needed to be out of school for two months. The DOT officer provided counselling and support to ensure that her son adhered to the medications for six months even when initial side reactions tempted her to stop treatment.
Medications were given to her for free with funding support from the Global Fund, TB program coordination by NTBLCP and implementation by IHVN and the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH).
Faithful’s progress was also monitored closely at the DOT center. Salome, the TB DOT Officer, called Gloria often to check Faithful’s health, they received medications and one-on-one counselling support monthly during visits. Follow-up tests were conducted at month two, month five and after completion of the medication, at month six at the hospital.
Faithful also contributed to the success of his treatment by willingly taking his medication.
“Every day, he would remind me about his medication. Initially, I was concerned that he might reject the medications, but he was cooperative,” Gloria added.
The family was also tested for tuberculosis and placed on TB preventive treatment.
Faithful is now healthy and strong enough to play, participate in his usual school activities and even write his end-of-term exams.
“I am grateful for all the support given. I know we would not have been able to afford the medications if it was not provided for free. I advise mothers to immediately go to the hospital if they notice the same kind of symptoms that Faithful had. I regret that I delayed in seeking opinions from friends and neighbours before seeking medical help. I wasted time and money.” Gloria said.
Salome added that it is important to continue to create awareness about tuberculosis to stop its spread and leave no one behind. Symptoms to look out for include cough for more than two weeks, fever, night sweets and weight loss.
According to her, “some people think that tuberculosis can be transmitted from mother to child, but TB is an airborne disease.”
IHVN Program Manager, Dr. Adekola Adekunle explained that innovative strategies such as the National Childhood TB Testing Week, Childhood TB diagnosis using stool sample for Xpert MTB/RIF test, support for X-ray services among children, active contact investigation of households of bacteriologically diagnosed index TB patients, integration with other disease programs, are being implemented to find and treat tuberculosis in children and these has offered promising strongpoints for ending tuberculosis in our lifetime.
Indeed, it takes the collective responsibility of all to leave no child behind in addressing tuberculosis.
