Nigeria accounts for 20% of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Africa, making it one of the continent’s highest-burden countries, according to the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP). Experts warn that poverty, malnutrition, and limited healthcare access continue to fuel the disease’s spread.
At a symposium marking World Tuberculosis Day 2025, public health expert Dr. Hananiya Dauda Samuel highlighted Nigeria’s ranking among the top 30 high-burden TB countries globally. The event, organized by the Zankli Research Centre and The Light Consortium, gathered healthcare professionals to discuss strategies for ending TB.
Dr. Chukwuebuka Ugwu, an Early Career Researcher at Light Consortium, emphasized the need for an integrated healthcare approach, ensuring patients receive comprehensive care during a single visit. This method, he noted, saves time, resources, and improves health outcomes.
Ugwu also stressed the importance of community-driven TB screening to increase awareness and reduce stigma. Targeted outreach programs—especially for men, who often delay seeking medical help—could improve TB detection and treatment adherence.
Research Uptake Manager Toyosi Adekeye warned that low awareness remains a major challenge, despite TB diagnosis and treatment being free. Many Nigerians still mistake TB symptoms for minor illnesses, delaying proper care.
Experts at the symposium called for policymakers to prioritize TB awareness, education, and community outreach, urging collaborative efforts to reduce stigma, expand treatment access, and save lives.
Source: Swifteradio.com
