Only the use of data and technology can accelerate the fight against TB - WHO

Only improved, evidence-based, data-driven technological interventions can hasten the end of the TB crisis in Nigeria.

This claim from the World Health Organization confirms concerns that Nigeria may not meet its 2030 target to end TB due to poor data processes, insufficient funding for interventions and of a small number of cases.

The global health body, however, says the country will see a significant decline in cases given current efforts and the scaling up of past effective strategies.

Rendering WHO's verdict on how far Nigeria has come to end the disease, Dr Amos Awoniyi, WHO Professional Officer on Tuberculosis, insisted that the country was not not on the right track.

Dr. Awoniyi made the claims during an interactive media webinar session on "the journey to end TB in Nigeria".

"We are not on track to meet the 2030 target due to the high number of missing TB cases, there are many cases in the community that are undetected, our increase in cases in 2021 was 60% and that's not good enough,”

"To end TB in Nigeria, we must implement evidence-based and technology-enhanced interventions as outlined in the NSP/lesson learned. Mobilize adequate domestic resources and 70% of the budget of the fight against tuberculosis in 2021 has not been funded”.

Although Nigeria was deemed not on track to end TB by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Suvanand Sahu, Deputy Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership , said there was still hope if he aligned with the overall plans.

The global plan according to Sahu clearly indicates the priority areas and the financial resources needed to fight the disease.

He said, "The total amount of funding needed is the equivalent of $4 per year for everyone in the world for the next eight years.

"The economic return on this investment would be $40 for every $1 invested and up to $59 for every $1 invested in low- and middle-income countries if the status quo continues."