A public health expert, Dr Gabriel Adakole has called for a coordinated approach to tackle the crises of malnutrition and tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria, warning that these issues jeopardise millions of children’s health.
In an interview on Monday in Abuja, Adakole emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to combat these intertwined health challenges.
Adakole explained that TB is a contagious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs but also capable of spreading to other parts of the body.
“The disease is transmitted through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include persistent cough, weight loss, fever, and night sweats.
“On the other hand, malnutrition occurs when the body lacks essential nutrients for proper growth and function, either due to a lack of food (undernutrition) or an imbalance in nutrient intake.
“Malnutrition weakens the immune system, making individuals, especially children, more vulnerable to infections like TB.
“A well-nourished child has a stronger immune response to TB treatment, but in Nigeria, many children with TB are already malnourished when they seek care. Without nutritional support, their chances of recovery are lower,” he said.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria faces one of the highest burdens of childhood TB globally, with an estimated 77,000 cases annually.
“However, only about 8,441 of these cases are officially reported, due to poor diagnosis and limited access to care.”
Adakole also warned that malnutrition was on the rise, citing a recent study by international development partners that found more than 31.8 million Nigerians facing acute food shortages, with children being the most affected.
He emphasised that the intersection of malnutrition and TB was worsening child mortality rates, urging the Nigerian government to integrate nutritional support into TB treatment programmes at all levels of healthcare delivery.
He recommended several interventions to address the issue, including increased funding for TB-specific programmes that would provide food supplementation for malnourished children.
Additionally, he called for strengthening collaboration between TB clinics and nutrition programmes and implementing community-based approaches.
This, he said would involve training health workers to identify and refer malnourished TB patients for early intervention.
He also urged the enforcement of national guidelines linking TB treatment with food security programmes to ensure that malnourished patients received the necessary dietary support.
The Head of Childhood Tuberculosis at the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer, and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), Dr Urhioke Ochuko acknowledged the growing threat of tuberculosis in Nigeria.
He pointed to the National TB, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Management Guidelines, which include recommendations for integrating nutrition into TB management to improve patient outcomes.
However, Ochuko noted that implementation remained a challenge due to limited resources and inadequate coordination.
He called for stronger advocacy and political commitment to ensure that nutrition would become a standard component of TB care in Nigeria.
“If we want to reduce TB-related deaths, we must address malnutrition as part of the solution. It is not just a health issue; it is a survival issue,” Ochuko said.
NAN
