By Abdul Kareem

The World Health Organization is sounding the alarm on the global tuberculosis crisis, which continues to claim approximately 3,800 lives each day and afflict 30,000 more, despite the disease being both preventable and curable.

During a commemorative event in Maiduguri for World Tuberculosis Day, themed “Yes! We can end TB, Get Involved,” Dr. Ibrahim Salisu, the WHO state coordinator, spoke on behalf of humanitarian partners. He emphasized that since 2000, concerted global efforts have prevented 75 million TB-related deaths.

Dr. Salisu, represented by WHO public health officer Dr. Aisha Kadai, reported that in 2022 alone, over 7.5 million individuals received TB diagnoses and treatment, marking a record high in the three-decade history of WHO monitoring.

As stakeholders gathered to mark World Tuberculosis Day, Salisu called for not only awareness but also renewed commitment to fighting one of humanity’s most ancient and lethal diseases. “We are here to reflect on our successes, confront our obstacles, and rekindle our resolve to end the anguish TB causes,” he stated.

Borno State Health Commissioner Prof. Mallam Baba Gana highlighted that TB impacts individuals across all age groups and is the second leading infectious cause of death worldwide after HIV/AIDS.

Gana urged the media to use World Tuberculosis Day as an opportunity to educate the public on TB symptoms, such as persistent coughing, weight loss, and blood in sputum, emphasizing that government hospitals offer free TB treatment nationwide.

In partnership with WHO and organizations like Global Fund, UNICEF, and MSF Belgium, the Health Ministry is dedicated to addressing and treating TB issues throughout the state.

Sharing his personal journey, TB survivor Noah Moses, who beat the disease in 2021, encouraged others to be vigilant for symptoms like night sweats and blood in sputum, advocating for prompt testing and treatment. Moses’s awareness of the disease, having seen his mother battle TB, was key to his own diagnosis and successful recovery.