By ABUJAH RACHEAL

Nigeria has intensified efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) through community-led action, increased domestic financing, and the rollout of innovative diagnostic technologies, even as the country records over 510,000 cases annually.

This formed the focus of a pre-World TB Day press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, where stakeholders stressed the urgency of accelerating progress in spite of persistent challenges.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Nigeria remains the country with the highest TB burden in Africa and ranks sixth globally, with an incidence rate of 219 cases per 100,000 population, accounting for about 20 per cent of Africa’s TB burden.

Public health experts noted that tuberculosis was curable, with treatment typically lasting six to nine months, although drug-resistant forms may require longer care.

Dr Charles Nzelu, Director of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said Nigeria had made significant progress under its National Strategic Plan (2021–2026), particularly in improving TB case notifications.

Nzelu, however, noted that the burden remained high, requiring sustained innovation and stronger health systems.

According to him, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) is leading the nationwide rollout of over 1,000 Pluslife Mini Dock diagnostic platforms to expand access to molecular testing, especially in underserved communities.

“This near-point-of-care technology is a game-changer, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind due to geography,”.

He added that efforts were ongoing to strengthen electronic reporting systems to enable real-time data tracking, improve supply chain management, and prevent stock-outs of essential TB medicines.

“As we approach World TB Day, we must renew our collective commitment. Yes, the challenge is great, but our resolve is greater. Together, we can end TB in Nigeria,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr Adesigbin Olufemi, Acting National Coordinator of the NTBLCP, said Nigeria recorded more than 510,000 TB cases in 2025, underscoring the scale of the public health challenge.

Olufemi said the programme, established in 1988 and operational since 1991, continued to coordinate nationwide efforts to control TB, leprosy, and Buruli ulcer, with services now expanded across all Local Government Areas.

He noted that more than 3,400 microscopy centres, 527 GeneXpert machines, and other diagnostic tools had been deployed across public and private health facilities to improve access to testing and treatment.

He added that strategies such as early case detection, integration of TB services into general healthcare, and public-private partnerships were helping to strengthen response efforts.

Earlier, Dr Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Board Chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, said the 2026 World TB Day theme, “Yes! We Can End TB – Led by the Federal Ministry of Health and powered by the Communities,” highlighted the importance of both government leadership and grassroots participation.

Ogbuji-Ladipo noted that tuberculosis remained one of the leading infectious diseases globally, with Nigeria bearing a significant share of the burden.

“Ending TB requires strong leadership from the government, while communities remain the driving force for awareness, prevention, treatment adherence, and accountability,” she said.

Also, Mr Joel Mayowa, Executive Secretary of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, said the global theme “Yes! We Can End TB” underscored the need for stronger country ownership and community engagement.

Mayowa said the theme emphasised that ending TB was achievable when governments took responsibility for designing and funding context-specific interventions, and communities actively drive awareness and support treatment efforts.

According to him, Nigeria has adapted the theme to reflect national priorities, with emphasis on the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Health and the critical role of communities.

He stressed that TB response must move beyond commitments to action, particularly through strengthening primary healthcare systems and expanding community-based services.

“TB survivors, healthcare workers, and civil society organisations are central to identifying cases, reducing stigma, and ensuring patients complete treatment,” he said.

He added that the current global financing constraints made domestic resource mobilisation more critical than ever.

“In Nigeria, governments at all levels must prioritise TB in budgets and create space for private sector participation. Ending TB cannot depend solely on donor funding,” he said.

Adding a human perspective, Mr Francis Ejiga, a TB survivor, called for intensified awareness and an end to stigma, describing discrimination as one of the biggest challenges faced by persons affected by the disease.

Ejiga said people living with or recovering from TB often faced rejection due to misinformation, stressing that awareness remained key to changing public perception.

Sharing his experience, he recounted losing his mother to TB before later contracting the disease himself in 2015.

“I started coughing blood and had persistent night sweats. After testing, I was diagnosed with TB. It felt like my world was collapsing, especially as I had just started a family,” he said.

He explained that he received treatment at a health facility, where he was placed on a structured regimen and supported by healthcare workers, eventually making a full recovery.

“I had excellent care from doctors and nurses. Today, treatment has improved significantly and takes a shorter duration compared to before,” he said.

In spite of his recovery, he noted that reintegration into society was difficult due to stigma.

“People avoided me because they lacked the right information. Awareness and education are key to ending stigma,” he said.

He said his experience inspired him to become an advocate and a member of a TB survivors’ network under the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, where he now participated in community sensitisation and advocacy activities.

According to him, survivors have been actively engaged in awareness campaigns, policy advocacy, and community-based monitoring of TB services.

“In 2025, we held our first national TB survivors’ summit, bringing together participants from across states to strengthen advocacy and support systems,” he said.

He added that survivor-led groups provided emotional and social support to people undergoing treatment, while also promoting early testing and adherence.

“As survivors, we are living proof that TB is treatable and curable. We must use our voices to encourage others to seek care,” he said.

Meanwhile, Stakeholders identified key challenges to include persistent stigma, funding gaps, uneven quality of care, and the need to strengthen pharmacovigilance for new TB drug regimens.

Dr Ogoamaka Chukwuogo, Chief of Party for TB LON 1 and 2 Project, emphasised the need for continued investment in health system strengthening, including human resources, laboratory capacity, supply chains, and monitoring systems.

Chukwuogo underscored the critical role of the media in combating stigma and raising awareness, urging journalists to amplify messages that TB diagnosis and treatment were free in government-approved facilities.

She also called on Nigerians to seek testing if they experienced a persistent cough lasting two weeks or more. (NAN)

Update news