Nigeria Battles Tuberculosis Crisis Amid Diagnostic Tool Shortage
Nigeria is facing a severe challenge in its fight against tuberculosis (TB), with the country grappling with the highest prevalence of the disease in Africa. Despite an estimated total of 479,000 cases in 2022, Nigeria’s efforts are hindered by the inadequacy of a revolutionary diagnostic tool.
Meet Mver Foga, a 56-year-old farmer from Agasha, Benue State, whose life was disrupted by TB. His routine was interrupted when he began falling ill repeatedly in January 2022, starting with a persistent dry cough. Despite initially mistaking it for flu, his condition worsened, leading to frequent illness and preventing him from farming.
In March 2022, during a TB testing drive, health workers visited the Agasha Comprehensive Health Centre, where Mr Foga and many others were screened for TB. His sputum sample was collected, and he was diagnosed with TB, prompting him to ensure his family members were also tested. Thankfully, he was the only one who tested positive.
TB, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is airborne and primarily affects the lungs but can target other organs if untreated. It is curable but can be fatal without proper treatment, according to the Center for Disease and Prevention (CDC).
One of the revolutionary diagnostic tools recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is the Xpert MTB/RIF, a Nucleic Acid Amplification (NAA) test that provides results in about two hours, compared to weeks for conventional methods.
However, Nigeria’s adoption of this technology has faced challenges. While the country had 503 GeneXpert machines by 2023, there remains a gap of over 250 machines, hindering testing targets and putting communities at risk.
Benue State, known for its high TB prevalence, particularly in rural areas, has struggled with a shortage of GeneXpert machines. Despite efforts to distribute machines based on disease burden, seven local government areas lack these crucial diagnostic tools, impacting the detection and treatment of TB.
In urban areas like Makurdi, where machines are available, healthcare facilities witness a surge in patients seeking TB testing. Federal Medical Centre (FMC), for example, serves a minimum of 100 patients per clinic day, with an average of 20 TB cases monthly.
Addressing this challenge, experts advocate for more GeneXpert machines and effective linkage systems to connect people to existing ones. Improving access to quality diagnoses and treatment is crucial in combating TB in Nigeria.
Premium Times
