Nigerian NGO Receives Global Recognition in Fight Against Tuberculosis in Denmark – THISDAYLIVE

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

A Nigerian youth-led health organisation, Debriche Health Development Centre (DHDC) has been announced as a winner of the 2025 Stop TB Partnership – Humana Community Award during the Union World Conference on Lung Health in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The award was presented to its Executive Director, Mrs. Deborah Ikeh by Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the First Lady of Lagos State and Lagos State TB Champion, and John Green, #1 New York Times bestselling author and global TB advocate.

The global honor celebrates excellence, resilience, and innovation in community-led TB services.

The Stop TB Partnership Award highlights grassroots organisations that have sustained life-saving TB services despite unprecedented global funding challenges.

The 2025 theme, “Keeping the Lights On and Providing Critical TB Services to People with TB,” honoured organisations that continued serving affected communities even when resources ran low.

The global recognition reflected the strength of Nigeria’s TB response and the unwavering leadership of the National TB, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP) of the Federal Ministry of Health, whose multisectoral approach continues to protect vulnerable communities.

Speaking, Ikeh commended Stop TB Partnership and the Humana Foundation for empowering communities.

She noted: “This achievement belongs to the people of Nigeria—our TB survivors, our young volunteers, our communities, and the bold leadership of the National and States Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme who have stood firm even in moments of crisis.”

Ikeh also commended the first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Mrs Sanwo-Olu, whose voices and contributions continue to improve access to TB services, inspire stronger community engagement, women-led action, and grassroots ownership in the fight to end TB.

She added: “This award proves the value and capacity-building impact of the Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS) grants and rationalizes why governments, partners, donors, and all stakeholders must work collectively to restore and sustain financing for grassroots organizations.

“When government, civil society, communities, and survivors work together, we deliver impact far beyond funding. This is the power of collaboration, resilience, and the Naija spirit.”

Despite global funding contractions, Ikeh stressed that DHDC continued to deliver essential TB services, including active collaboration with TB programmes at national and state levels; Community-based TB sensitisation, screening, and diagnostic referral; Psychosocial and treatment adherence support for people with TB, among others.

Applauding Deborah Ikeh’s bold leadership skills, The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health and Partners commended DHDC for championing global best practices in community engagement in Nigeria and for always putting the country on the global map in a positive light .

The Union World Conference on Lung Health 2025 (WCLH 2025), organised by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), is the world’s largest gathering of lung health professionals, bringing together experts, researchers, and advocates to advance global efforts against lung diseases.