Nigeria unlikely to end TB by 2030 – WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said Nigeria is not likely to meet the global target of ending tuberculosis (TB) by 2030.

The national professional officer, TB, WHO, Nigeria office, Dr Amos Omoniyi, said this during a virtual media roundtable with the topic, ‘Journey to end TB by 2030: How far are we?’

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He said there was 0.52 per cent increase in TB deaths in 2020, compared to 2015 and zero per cent change in TB incident recorded, when 20 per cent reduction was targeted.

While saying that 70 per cent of the TB budget for 2021 was underfunded, he said 85 per cent of estimated TB cases among children were also missed.

Dr Omoniyi said to end TB in Nigeria, the country must implement data-driven, evidence-based and technology-enhanced interventions as contained in the National Strategic Plan (NSP) and lessons learnt.

The Deputy Executive Director, Stop TB Partnership, Geneva, Dr Sahu Suvanand, said COVID-19 caused some setbacks in TB response globally. 

He urged Nigeria to increase its diagnostic, prevention, treatment capacities, as well as domestic funding for TB.