Nigeria and other tuberculosis endemic countries will have to double their investments in prevention and treatment if they are to overcome the health scourge.
This has become even more imperative as global focus on addressing the Covid-19 pandemic has affected funding for other critical diseases like tuberculosis.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, global attention has been on its prevention and treatment to the detriment of other infectious diseases like tuberculosis.
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Nigeria is among the 8 countries that account for two-thirds of new cases of Tuberculosis around the world, according to the world health organization, W.H.O.
But with the COVID-19 competing for the already limited health resources, experts at a virtual media roundtable organized by Stop Tuberculosis Partnership Nigeria on improving awareness for tuberculosis are asking the government not to neglect the W.H.O tuberculosis prevention guideline. They are also calling for investment and commitment similar to that deployed for the COVID-19.
The panelists noted that positive perception towards tuberculosis and its management is crucial as just 74% of tuberculosis patients are yet to be identified, with only 26% having access to treatment across the country.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria known as mycobacterium. It shares similar symptoms with covid-19. However, tuberculosis has claimed more lives and if not checked, could potentially become a major killer after coronavirus.
(Editors: Terverr Tyav and Utibe Umoren)
