World Tuberculosis Day underscores the urgent need for Nigeria to address its TB epidemic. Despite being preventable and treatable, TB claims numerous lives annually, presenting significant challenges including underreporting, healthcare gaps, and social stigma. To effectively combat tuberculosis, concerted efforts in investment, awareness, and access to medical resources are essential.
As the global community observes World Tuberculosis Day with the theme “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” the urgency of addressing tuberculosis in Nigeria is paramount. This annual event, commemorated since 1982, emphasizes the necessity for accountability and prioritization from world leaders in combating this devastating infectious disease affecting millions globally.
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a major health threat despite being preventable and treatable. It ranks among the top ten causes of death worldwide, with an NGO, KNCV Nigeria, reporting that approximately 10 million people develop active TB each year, including around 1.1 million children and 860,000 individuals living with HIV.
In 2023, an estimated 1.25 million people succumbed to TB, including 161,000 individuals with HIV. Common symptoms of TB include a persistent cough lasting three weeks or longer, chest pain, and hemoptysis, along with fatigue, weight loss, lack of appetite, fever, and night sweats. Alarmingly, Nigeria has the highest TB burden in Africa, with the World Health Organization (WHO) indicating that 268 individuals die from the disease daily.
Underreporting of TB cases exacerbates the crisis, as a single undetected case can potentially infect up to 15 others within a year. In 2023, over 361,000 TB cases were reported in Nigeria, a 26% increase from the previous year, with children making up about 9% of these cases. Nigeria bears around 4.6% of the global TB burden, resulting in estimated deaths of 15 people every hour.
The WHO’s 2019 Global TB Report highlighted a concerning detection rate of only 24% in Nigeria, with a mere 20% of health facilities equipped to provide essential TB services. Malnutrition (20%), HIV (12%), diabetes (3%), and alcohol use disorder (1%) contribute to the prevalence of TB in Nigeria. Many individuals miss out on treatment due to drug-resistant TB variants, alongside significant financial shortfalls in TB program funding, with a notable 69% gap reported.
Additional obstacles include misinformation about the disease, stigma, inadequate healthcare personnel, and limited access to testing and treatment facilities. The WHO emphasizes that gaps in case detection, especially among children, stem from insufficiently trained healthcare workers and lack of awareness in families and communities.
To combat TB effectively, government commitment at all levels is essential to strengthening the healthcare system for those affected. Both federal and state governments should enhance investments in medical resources and ensure that services are accessible to all citizens, regardless of location. Furthermore, Nigeria’s National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer, and Leprosy Control Programme should adopt innovative strategies for awareness, testing, diagnosis, and treatment throughout the 36 states.
In summary, addressing the tuberculosis epidemic in Nigeria requires urgent attention and action from government leaders and healthcare providers. With alarming statistics highlighting the extensive burden of TB, including significant mortality rates and underreporting of cases, it is crucial to enhance the healthcare infrastructure and resources dedicated to TB prevention and treatment. Through increased investment, innovative strategies, and awareness campaigns, Nigeria can work towards effectively combating this public health crisis and ultimately aim to end tuberculosis in the country.
Original Source: punchng.com
