Some experts have enjoined the federal government and other stakeholders to increase investments towards ending tuberculosis in the country by the year 2030.
They made the call yesterday in Abuja during a pre-World TB Day press conference organised by Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, in collaboration with the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) and other partners.
The National Programme Officer for TB of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Nigeria, Dr Amos Omoniyi, said Nigeria alone accounts for 23 percent of TB deaths in Africa.
He said one person dies of TB every five minutes in Nigeria, adding that the disease killed 97,900 persons in 2022.
He said some major challenges in the fight against TB in Nigeria were the huge TB funding gap and donor dependency, low treatment coverage and low childhood TB case detection.
Dr Omoniyi said the disease could be eliminated if the government at all levels invests more in tackling it.
Acting Board chair, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Dr Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, said despite advancements in medicine and healthcare, TB remained a formidable adversary, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations and underserved communities.
However, she said amidst the challenges, there lies hope in the tireless dedication of healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and advocates who work tirelessly to combat TB and improve the lives of those affected.
