Tuberculosis: Experts Seek More Political Commitment To Curb Disease

At least one Nigerian dies every five minutes as a result of Tuberculosis, (TB) disease.

Experts in health and Tuberculosis control, have expressed worry over the negative TB data in Nigeria, this is as new data reveals that one Nigerian dies every five minutes as a result of Tuberculosis disease.

Also in 2022, out of the 424,000 tuberculosis-related deaths in Africa about 97,900 occurred in Nigeria which is the highest figure so far.

The National Programme Officer for TB, World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Amos Omoniyi, made this known in Abuja at a media conference organised by Stop TB Partnership for the TB community as part of activities to mark this year’s World TB Day.

In a presentation, ‘Overview of TB burden in Nigeria, Dr Omoniyi noted that TB affects one person every second globally, while in Nigeria it affects one person per minute.

He expressed worry that a disease discovered 142 years ago was still pushing many into poverty.

”Cause of TB was discovered in 1882, the whole world is still battling with the scourge of TB.”

”Despite accounting for the high burden of the disease, Nigeria Africa’s most populous nation still has a 70 percent funding gap in TB.

The National Programme Officer said there was a need for political commitment with adequate funding for TB care and prevention in Nigeria.

”Engagement of communities, civil society organizations, and all public and private care providers, social protection, poverty alleviation and actions on other determinants of TB.”

The Acting Board Chair, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo observed that Tuberculosis continues to be a major public health concern, claiming far too many lives annually.

”Particularly in our beloved Nigeria, despite advancements in medicine and healthcare, TB remains a formidable adversary, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations and underserved communities.”

” However, amidst these challenges, there lies hope in the tireless dedication of healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and advocates who work tirelessly to combat TB and improve the lives of those affected.”

Dr.Ogbuji-Ladipo said the Pre-World TB Day Press Conference was part of the activities to mark this year’s World TB Day, especially in raising awareness about TB and reaffirming our commitment to ending this devastating disease.

”Today, we will formally roll out the planned activities commemorating the 2024 World TB Day to increase public participation and galvanize action against TB, and formally announce the 2024 National TB Conference,” she said.

On his part, the Executive Director of KNCV TB Foundation Nigeria, Dr Bethrand Odume, stressed the need to sustain the progress made in recent years in finding the missing TB cases, by scaling up key proven strategies.

”While sustaining advocacy efforts to improve funding from the government and the private sector, the time to accelerate all efforts towards ending TB is now more than ever before.”

The Executive Director noted that the current USAID-funded TB LON 1&2 project contributed to strategic plans to end TB by 2030 through its key objectives, which include improving access to high-quality person-centered TB, DR-TB, and TB/HIV services.

”Strengthening TB service delivery platforms; reducing TB transmission and disease progression and applying innovation and accelerating research in TB with improved impact on program implementation.”

According to him, KNCV is working with the NTBLPC and state TB program in the 14 supported states to improve TB case detection in Nigeria under the USAID-supported TB LON project.