…Africa still highest region with TB resistance strain – WHO
As against inaccurate placement of Nigeria as the second most Tuberculosis infested nation on the continent, the country’s real status and position is number one and not second after South Africa.
Female Zimbabwean parliamentarian and medical doctor, Dr Ruth Labode made the disclosure in Abuja weekend.
Although past reports say Nigeria currently ranks 7th in the world and 2nd in Africa among 30 countries with the highest burden of TB, TB/HIV and Multi Drug resistant TB, the Zimbabwean woman lawmaker married to a Nigerian and who heads the health committee of the Parliament in the South African country, told a recent roundtable during the launch of the Nigeria parliamentary Tuberculosis Caucus (Nigeria TB Caucus) in Abuja, that it was incorrect to place Nigeria second behind South Africa, whereas it is number one in TB prevalence and next to South Africa in the African Continent.
“Nigeria is number one in prevalence next to South Africa, because of it’s huge population, congestions and Nigerians are everywhere” she said.
Dr Lamode noted that the health hazards inherent in over crowding and congested neighborhoods in Nigeria were responsible for increasing rates of TB, in addition to lack of awareness of the diseases, particularly in the rural areas.
He told her Nigerian counterparts that they were representing constituents who were dying everyday of TB as a result of lack of awareness, and until they make awareness, treatment as part of their constituency projects they would have lost ownership of their representation.
“Let’s create awareness for our communities: You appropriate the budget: put more money into the budget for TB cure’ she also urged, in addition also for new legislation against stigma and discrimination of TB patients.
In a similar reaction, the World Health Organization, WHO has disclosed that despite the regional efforts at eradicating the disease, Africa still bears the highest burden of TB globally, noting that there is an alarming increase in the strain TB resistance.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti gave this hint in a message to mark the global commemoration of the day with a theme: ‘’Wanted: Leaders for a TB-free world”.
Moeti said, “Although the African Region has made good progress in controlling TB, we still have the world’s highest levels of the disease, and only half of existing TB cases are being found by our health systems.’’
“We have the most patients infected with both HIV and TB, and are seeing alarming increases in the forms of TB that resist treatment with common medicines.”
Finally, governments are contributing only a quarter of the resources needed to provide adequate TB services, and 40% of needs remain unfunded, he lamented.
WHO African Representative used the occasion to call on governments, lawmakers, policy- makers to ‘’drive ambitious plans that will accelerate TB control in their counties.
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