The Coordinator, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), Dr Chukwuma Anyaike has stressed the need for a Nationwide survey on tuberculosis to ascertain the actual number of persons with the disease.
Dr. Anyaike who stated this at the pre-world TB day press briefing in Abuja noted that the last survey was done in 2012.
While noting that the data of persons with TB will aid in strategic planning to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of ending TB, Dr Anyaike who recently assumed duty as the National Coordinator of NTBLCP, said he will prioritise the survey during his tenure.
The NTBLCP Coordinator also identified the prevalence of stigmatisation as a major challenge to ending the scourge in the Country.
Executive Director, KNCV TB Foundation in Nigeria, Dr Berthrand Odume while giving an overview Report on the TB situation in the country said despite the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an upward trend in TB case-finding between 2019 and 2020.
Dr Odume emphasised the need for more funding in managing Tuberculosis and urged the Federal Government to take ownership of the fight against disease by showing more commitment in its funding, noting that the country had about a 70% funding gap.
WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, who was represented by Dr. Amos Omoniyi, said the theme of the 2021 World TB DAY “the clock is ticking” was a clarion call for stakeholders to re-double efforts in fighting the disease and called for the expansion of TB services in both public and private hospitals to attain the SDG goal of TB Control.
The slogan of this year’s event is “that cough fit be TB not covid, check am ooo”
FRCN