Complacency could derail Nigeria’s fight against tuberculosis – First Lady, experts warn

Nigeria cannot afford to be complacent if it must sustain the goals reached in achieving the global tuberculosis targets by 2035.

This is as Nigeria grapples with the twin challenge of HIV-associated TB and drug-resistant strains that have accounted for multiple deaths, according to national records.

At the ongoing 2024 National TB Conference in Abuja, where stakeholders are strategizing on how to end TB, it emerged that Nigeria still ranks sixth-highest among 30 TB-burdened nations globally.

The disease is also estimated to be a leading cause of death in Nigeria, with approximately 467,000 tuberculosis cases recorded in 2023 alone, according to the 2024 WHO Global Tuberculosis Report.

The report indicated that Nigeria witnessed a 26% rise in TB cases in 2023 compared to previous years, with over 360,000 cases reported in the country. Nine percent of those affected were children and young adolescents.

This is despite a 50% reduction in the number of deaths caused by TB between 2015 and 2023, as recorded by the WHO research.

The accuracy of these numbers is attributed to the increase in the number of cases reported, the number diagnosed, and cases treated for the disease.

Despite the apparent success, experts and stakeholders still worry that complacency, funding gaps, low public awareness about TB, stigma, and discrimination may rob the country of the global targets of ending TB by 2035.

To sustain the momentum of its success, the Nigerian First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who was a guest at the TB conference, warned that Nigeria must prioritize investment and innovative strategies and focus on breaking the barriers that prevent people from accessing care and support for TB recovery.

The First Lady has now called for a public-private partnership to help sustain the progress made, noting that there is still much work to be done.

“We are here today because, despite the progress we have all made in the fight against the disease, the global burden of TB remains alarming, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like ours.

“I believe that the solution to ending TB lies in the strength of our partnerships, both public and private, and in the integrated delivery of services that leave no one behind.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, who also agreed with the First Lady, said that “by aligning public and private sector efforts, no one will be left behind in accessing TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.”

He acknowledged that the 2024 establishment of the TB matching funds contributed to the success story, emphasizing that the private sector accounted for 29% of TB cases notified in 2023.

Expressing hope, Dr. Mulombo said, “Together, through advanced technology and community-led strategies, supported by adequate domestic funding, we can transform Nigeria’s TB response and make TB a disease of the past.

“With just six years left to achieve the 2030 target to end the TB epidemic, urgent and bold actions are needed,” he said.

Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, the Acting Board Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, in her contributions, advised that significant progress is still needed to meet global targets for ending TB.

She warned that Nigeria must intensify efforts to improve TB detection, treatment, and prevention, noting the critical role of collaboration in combating the disease.

“This conference emphasizes the need for comprehensive, integrated service delivery models that ensure equitable access to TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, thus contributing to the global goal of ending TB.”