The World Health Organization (WHO) has said about 2.5 million persons contracted Tuberculosis (TB) in 2022 in the African region, equating to one person every 13 seconds.
The Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti in a message to commemorate the 2024 World TB Day said the number of TB deaths in 2022 reached 424,000, resulting in the loss of one life every minute.
She lamented that people keep dying from TB despite being preventable and treatable.
“TB continues to be the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, surpassing the toll of HIV/AIDS. According to the latest report, about 2.5 million individuals contracted TB in 2022 in the region, equating to one person every 13 seconds,” she said.
“Additionally, the number of TB deaths in 2022 reached 424,000, resulting in the loss of one life every minute—even when TB is preventable and treatable.”
She said these figures underscore the urgency of the region’s collective action in addressing the ongoing TB epidemic and highlight the need for sustained efforts to end it.
World TB day
World TB Day is marked on March 24 every year to create awareness about the impact of the disease.
The theme of the 2024 WTBD is “Yes, we can end TB” and Nigeria’s slogan is “No gree for TB, check am o.”
TB, an airborne disease which spreads via the inhalation of droplets primarily from the coughs of infected people — is one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, claiming 1.3 million lives in 2022.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with TB worldwide in 2022, including 5.8 million men, 3.5 million women and 1.3 million children.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation ranks first in Africa and sixth in the world, accounting for about 4.6 per cent of the global TB burden.
Intensified effort needed
Dr Moeti stated that the WHO African Region supports member states’ fight against TB by setting strategic directions, developing monitoring tools, like the African TB scorecard with the African Union, and ensuring progress towards the End TB Strategy.
She also stated that the organization is dedicated to generating and sharing knowledge on effective TB control methods.
“We support countries by updating TB treatment guidelines to reflect the latest practices and expanding access to rapid diagnostic tools,” she said.
She added that the WHO African Region celebrated another milestone: diagnosing 70 per cent of TB patients, marking a substantial reduction in missed cases and propelling us closer to our goal.
Dr Moeti said this achievement is a testament to the relentless efforts of our Member States and partners, showcasing what can be accomplished through a shared vision and concerted action.
“Between 2015 and 2022, our region achieved a remarkable 38 per cent reduction in TB deaths, surpassing the initial End TB Strategy milestone of 35 per cent by 2020,” she said.
“From 2015 to 2022, the region also saw a 23 per cent reduction in new TB cases, exceeding the initial End TB Strategy target of 20 per cent by 2020. All this underscores the effectiveness of implemented strategies and renewed commitment from countries.”
She, however, noted that while the reduction in TB deaths is commendable, it still falls short of the 2025 End TB Strategy target of a 75 per cent reduction.
According to her, the 23 per cent decline in TB incidence misses the mark of the 50 per cent reduction target for 2025.
She further highlighted the need for continued and intensified efforts to meet these ambitious goals.
“Challenges such as delayed diagnosis, limited access to new tools and technologies, and the ongoing threat of multi-drug resistant TB require continued vigilance and sustained efforts,” she said.
The regional director urges stakeholders to join in by providing resources, enhancing community engagement, conducting research, and forming private-sector partnerships.
She added that through unified action, we can address the challenges of TB in Africa and achieve our goal of its elimination as a public health threat.
“I urge all our Member States to prioritize a multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of the disease while bolstering our efforts in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.”