As the World observes the 2025 Tuberculosis (TB) Day, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), has called on governments at all levels to ensure substantial political commitments, increased funding, and expanded access to TB services.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi by Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Steve Aborisade, on Monday – today, March 24 – the AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director (CPD), Dr. Echey Ijezie, who expressed concerns that TB claimed 1.25 million lives in 2023, according to the World Health Organization, said while global TB incidence has declined, progress is too slow to meet international targets.
According to him, nearly 11 million people fell ill with TB in 2023, with more than 80 percent of cases and deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, and at least $22 billion is needed annually for TB prevention and treatment, global funding remains significantly short of this goal.
He further observed that multidrug-resistant tuberculosis remains a public health crisis, with only about two in five people with drug-resistant TB receiving treatment in 2023.
He said AHF’s TB efforts urge governments to prioritize TB prevention and treatment, strengthen healthcare systems, and close the funding gap that continues to hinder progress.
“AHF Nigeria supports active TB case finding in communities across our seven states of operation through the active mobilization and training of community volunteers known as ‘Community Advocacy Club’ who screen and detect tuberculosis symptoms and direct those who present with symptoms to the DOT centers.
“To be sure, AHF also focuses on HIV/TB co-infection care in its clinics and has long prioritized TB prevention, screening, and treatment as part of its global healthcare programs.
“AHF also advocates for policy changes to make TB drugs and diagnostics more accessible and affordable and engages communities and governments to commit to more vigorous TB control efforts,’’ said Dr. Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Program Director (CPD).
AHF would hold its World TB Day event today March 24, across the seven AHF Nigeria state programmes including Abuja, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, Kogi and Nasarawa, to raise awareness about TB which it described as the world’s deadliest infectious disease, the leading cause of death for people living with HIV, and a major cause of death related to antimicrobial resistance
