AHF laments 1.2m TB deaths, campaigns for more funding

As the world marks Tuberculosis (TB) Day today, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is joining partners worldwide to call for more substantial political commitments, increased funding, and expanded access to TB services.

AHF Nigeria will also today host marches across seven states: Abuja, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, Kogi and Nasarawa, to raise awareness about TB – 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.

TB claimed 1.25 million lives in 2023, according to the World Health Organisation. While global TB incidence has declined, progress is too slow to meet international targets.

An estimated nearly 11 million people fell ill with TB in 2023, with more than 80% of cases and deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. At least $22 billion is needed annually for TB prevention and treatment, yet global funding remains significantly short of this goal.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis remains a public health crisis, with only about two in five people with drug-resistant TB receiving treatment in 2023.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. In Nigeria.AHF Nigeria is collaborating with the TB Focal Persons in Abuja-FCT, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, Kogi and Nasarawa states respectfully, through live radio programming to provide TB education and awareness to the general population. This comes at the heels of a radio jingle on

TB and HIV that was on the airwaves at the instance of AHF Nigeria over the past months across our states of operation. “AHF Nigeria support active TB case finding in communities across our seven (7) 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 presents 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).