More than 50,000 Nigerians have tested positive for tuberculosis (TB) following intensified screening efforts across the country, according to the Global Fund, an international non-governmental organization.
However, the Fund expressed concern that many of those diagnosed have yet to begin treatment, raising alarms about the potential for further spread of the disease.
The Executive Secretary of the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) in Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Tajudeen disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the 11th quarterly meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
Tajudeen said the cases were discovered through ongoing case-finding efforts supported by the government and development partners.
“We have successfully screened more than 50,000 people who are TB-positive, but we are unable to begin treatment for many due to limited resources,” he said.
He attributed the backlog to a funding gap in the current grant cycle, noting that several activities under the new Global Fund grant had been reprioritised.
According to him, the CCM must confirm its alignment with the revised funding allocation by July 14, a deadline that could determine whether those affected gain access to life-saving treatment.
Tajudeen described TB as a preventable and curable disease that remains one of Nigeria’s leading infectious threats.
He also outlined several key health interventions currently underway, including:
- Over 25.5 million TB tests conducted using advanced diagnostic platforms
- Procurement of 370 digital X-ray machines, with some already deployed across states
- Ongoing upgrades at six regional reference laboratories
In malaria prevention, he noted that 16.6 million insecticide-treated nets have been distributed nationwide.
Tajudeen also disclosed that the government had secured a commitment of 95.5 million dollars from donors to support ongoing health interventions. However, he warned that budget shortfalls had led to the suspension of critical activities, including drug procurement, workforce training, and infrastructure investments.
He urged the Ministerial Oversight Committee and development partners to act swiftly to address the gaps.
“Screening alone is not enough; without treatment, we risk fueling the very epidemic we seek to control,” he warned.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria remains among the countries with the highest TB burden globally. Health advocates are calling for sustained collaboration and increased funding to close the treatment gap.
Experts also warn that leaving diagnosed individuals untreated not only increases transmission risk but also threatens national health targets.
The Global Fund continues to support Nigeria in the fight against TB, HIV, and malaria by funding medicine supplies, diagnostics, and essential infrastructure. Its recent efforts include deploying digital X-ray systems, upgrading laboratories, and improving access to oxygen and solar-powered equipment in health facilities.
The organization works closely with government agencies and partners to improve health outcomes across the country.
