The number of tuberculosis cases and deaths has been projected to increase between now and the end of 2021 as a result of disruptions in TB services by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new Executive Director of KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, an international non-profit organisation, Dr Mustapha Gidado, stated this during a virtual news briefing following his recent appointment as the first non- Dutch professional to man the foundation at The Hague, Netherlands.
He said, “COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected tuberculosis control, management and treatment. Most TB missing cases are among the vulnerable group, especially children and men who have poor health seeking behaviour and people in the rural communities,” he said.
He predicted a worsening situation of the disease, adding that TB response performance may slide back.
“With the massive impact of COVID-19 on health services, it is estimated that over 6.5 million more TB patients will be affected in the near future. We might be recording a million deaths secondary to TB,” he said.
While calling for accelerated action, he said TB partners could collaborate to ensure that some of the funding dedicated to COVID-19 is deployed towards TB.
He said achieving TB targets would be difficult without making diagnosis of TB quick, reducing duration of time for treatment, and ensuring universal access to TB treatment.
Dr. Gidado said his recent appointment as KNCV Executive Director would benefit TB response in Nigeria and globally, adding that he would deploy innovative strategies.
Mirella Visser, Chair of KNCV Board of Trustees, said Mustapha Gidado was appointed because he was widely recognized as a TB expert with a strong network and connections in TB and in the public health world.
He said the board was confident that he had the leadership skills to further strengthen KNCV’s reputation as a leading technical agency in the international fight against TB.
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