By Justina Auta
As the world observes World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, international NGO AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has called for stronger commitment, increased funding, and expanded access to TB services.
AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director (CPD), Dr Echey Ijezie made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja, in commemoration of the event marked every March 24.
He quoted the World Health Organisation (WHO) report, which stated that TB claimed 1.25 million lives worldwide in 2023.
Ijezie noted that while global TB incidence had declined, progress was too slow to meet international targets.
He explained that nearly 11 million people fell ill with TB in 2023, with more than 80 per cent of cases and deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
According to him, findings show that at least 22 billion dollar is needed annually for TB prevention and treatment, yet global funding remains significantly short of this goal.
He further emphasised that multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis remained a public health crisis, with only about two in five people with drug-resistant TB receiving treatment in 2023.
Ijezie urged governments to prioritise TB prevention and treatment, strengthen healthcare systems, and close the funding gap that continued to hinder progress in Nigeria.
“AHF Nigeria supports active TB case finding in communities across our seven states of operation through the mobilisation and training of community volunteers known as ‘Community Advocacy Clubs.
“They screen and detect tuberculosis symptoms and direct those who present with symptoms to the DOT centres.
“AHF also focuses on HIV/TB co-infection care in its clinics and has long prioritised TB prevention, screening, and treatment as part of its global healthcare programmes.
“We also advocate for policy changes to make TB drugs and diagnostics more accessible and affordable, and engage communities and governments to commit to more vigorous TB control efforts,” Ijezie added.
He also said that the organisation would hold events in Abuja, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, Kogi, and Nasarawa to raise awareness about TB prevention, care, and treatment.
