Announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, the upcoming national survey on Tuberculosis drug resistance in Nigeria aims to determine the actual burden of drug-resistant TB in the country. Pate emphasized that the survey will play a crucial role in guiding targeted actions to address the drug-resistant TB epidemic.
Speaking in Abuja during the investiture ceremony of the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, as the global and national Stop TB champion by the Global Stop TB Partnership, Pate highlighted the significance of the survey in combatting the spread of drug-resistant TB.
The World Health Organization defines TB as a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs and transmitted through the air when infected individuals cough, sneeze, or spit. Nigeria is ranked sixth globally and holds the highest burden of TB in Africa.
With an alarming 479,000 reported cases in 2022, equating to about one new case every minute, and 97,900 TB-related deaths during the same year, Nigeria faces a critical health challenge. Drug-resistant TB, caused by TB bacteria resistant to at least one primary anti-TB drug, further complicates the situation.
Under the Federal Government’s Health Sector Renewal Programme, the ministry has implemented a four-point agenda aimed at transforming Nigeria’s health sector through improved governance, enhanced population health outcomes, streamlined healthcare service delivery, and ensuring health security for all Nigerians.
Efforts to end the TB epidemic in Nigeria have led to the expansion of TB treatment services to approximately 22,000 health facilities and the deployment of GeneXpert equipment for rapid TB testing in 512 facilities by the end of 2023.
Implementation of digital X-ray technology with artificial intelligence for TB screening, leveraging a network of mobile digital X-ray platforms across the country and plans to deploy an additional 350 digital X-ray machines by June 2024, demonstrates a commitment to enhancing TB diagnostic capabilities.
In collaboration with the private sector and community stakeholders, the government is pursuing a comprehensive approach to TB control. This includes engaging over 3,700 private facilities for TB treatment and mobilizing Community-Based Organizations and Volunteers to identify TB cases within local communities.
The upcoming National Drug-Resistant Survey, supported by USAID and partners, will play a pivotal role in assessing the burden of drug-resistant TB in Nigeria, thereby shaping targeted interventions to combat the epidemic.
In 2023, Nigeria witnessed a significant increase in TB case notifications, surpassing 360,000 cases, marking a milestone in the country’s TB control efforts. Despite this progress, over 140,000 TB cases went undiagnosed and untreated, underscoring the ongoing challenges in TB detection and management.
Addressing social determinants of TB, such as poverty, inequality, and limited healthcare access, remains a key component of the strategy to eradicate TB in Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Health is committed to establishing a robust health system to address both communicable and non-communicable diseases effectively.
Through strategic partnerships and innovative initiatives, the government aims to enhance healthcare delivery, ensure reliable health data for decision-making, and promote sustainable domestic financing to strengthen the health sector governance.
Recognizing the contributions of individuals and organizations in the fight against TB, several awardees were honored at the event, reaffirming the collective effort required to combat TB effectively.