The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has called on government leaders at all levels to make the prevention and treatment of Tuberculosis a top priority.
The foundation made this statement on Sunday through its Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Steve Aborishade, to mark the 2024 World TB Day with the theme ‘Yes! We Can End TB.’
World Tuberculosis Day is observed on March 24 each year to raise awareness about the impact of the disease.
TB, caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), primarily affects the lungs and is transmitted through the air when individuals with lung TB cough, sneeze, or spit. Infection can occur from inhaling just a few germs.
In 2022, a total of 1.3 million people succumbed to TB (including 167,000 HIV-positive individuals). Internationally, TB ranks as the second most fatal infectious disease after COVID-19, surpassing HIV and AIDS.
The World Health Organisation reported that approximately 10.6 million people worldwide fell ill with TB in 2022, including 5.8 million men, 3.5 million women, and 1.3 million children.
Multidrug-resistant TB continues to pose a public health crisis and a health security threat, as only about 40% of individuals with drug-resistant TB received treatment in 2022.
Dr Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about TB and ensuring that people are tested for both TB and HIV. Treatment for TB is accessible and free throughout Nigeria.
AHF Nigeria expressed its commitment to supporting the existing efforts of the Nigerian TB program by raising awareness and engaging communities through the involvement of community-based organizations and civil society partners.
AHF Nigeria highlighted its collaboration with other stakeholders, particularly the TB programs in its operational states including Abuja-FCT, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Kogi, and Nasarawa, to commemorate the lives lost to TB while calling on government leaders to prioritize TB prevention and treatment efforts.
Through dedicated radio campaigns, AHF Nigeria, alongside officials from the offices of TB focal persons in these states, will educate the public on TB prevention and the availability of free TB treatment across Nigeria.
The effort aims to raise awareness about all the TB Directly Observed Therapy centers in AHF Nigeria's operational states so that people know where to seek TB treatment and can recognize and refer cases for care and treatment.
