World Tuberculosis Day 2025 highlights the urgent need for Nigeria to combat tuberculosis, which is preventable yet remains a leading cause of death. The country experiences the highest TB burden in Africa, with alarming mortality rates and significant gaps in disease detection and treatment. Strengthening the health sector, increasing funding, and raising public awareness are critical steps needed to address this health crisis effectively.
As the global community observes World Tuberculosis Day in 2025 with the theme, “Yes! We can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” it is imperative for Nigerian leaders to take decisive actions against tuberculosis (TB), the deadliest infectious disease worldwide. Since its inception in 1982, this commemoration emphasizes the need for accountability and prioritization in combating TB, which continues to adversely affect millions across the globe, generating significant health, social, and economic challenges.
Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is transmitted through the air. Although it is preventable and curable, TB remains one of the leading causes of death, claiming an estimated 1.25 million lives in 2023, including 161,000 individuals living with HIV. Symptoms involve prolonged coughing, chest pain, and in severe cases, hemoptysis. This disease also manifests as weakness, weight loss, and night sweats.
Nigeria currently faces the highest TB burden in Africa, with the World Health Organization (WHO) stating that it claims the lives of 268 people daily. Alarmingly, it has been observed that many cases remain unreported, which contributes to a heightened risk of transmission, as one undetected case can infect up to 15 individuals within a year. In 2023, provisional data indicated that Nigeria reported over 361,000 TB cases, with a 26% increase compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing crisis.
Occupying approximately 4.6% of the global TB burden, Nigeria faces dire statistics: approximately 15 individuals die from TB every hour, accumulating to around 125,000 deaths annually. Furthermore, the WHO’s 2019 Global TB Report identified a poor detection rate of just 24%, with only 20% of health institutions adequately equipped to handle TB services. Additionally, it is estimated that malnutrition, HIV, diabetes, and alcohol use disorder account for a significant portion of the TB cases.
Despite the availability of antibiotic treatments, a significant number of citizens do not receive proper care due to the prevalence of drug-resistant TB strains. The funding required for TB control in Nigeria shows a concerning 69% gap, which hampers efforts to mitigate the situation further. Additional barriers include limited public knowledge, stigma surrounding the disease, insufficient health resources, and inadequate access to testing and treatment amenities.
The WHO has highlighted that the gap in detection rates is particularly pronounced in children, attributing it to both the lack of trained health practitioners and low community awareness. To address this pressing issue, it is paramount for government entities at all levels to commit to revitalizing the health sector and ensuring comprehensive support for those affected by TB. This includes increased investments in health facilities and ensuring all Nigerians have access to necessary resources.
Through collaborative efforts, particularly with the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer, and Leprosy Control Programme and its affiliates, Nigeria can implement innovative solutions for increasing awareness, testing, diagnosing, and treating TB across all states, ultimately working toward the goal of eradicating this disease.
In conclusion, the urgency to combat tuberculosis in Nigeria cannot be overstated, especially in light of the alarming statistics on mortality and disease burden. By prioritizing health sector revitalization, increasing funding, and combating stigma, Nigerian authorities hold the key to making substantial progress in controlling and eventually eliminating this infectious threat. Collaboration with relevant health bodies is essential to establish effective awareness and treatment strategies, ensuring that the nation’s battle against TB aligns with global efforts to eradicate this scourge.
Original Source: punchng.com
