WHO African Regional Director, Moet, Proffers Solution To Ending TB In The Region
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
World Health Organisation, WHO, in the African region in its latest report, said about 2.5 million individuals in the region, contracted TB in 2022 equating to one person every 13 seconds.
A statement by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, in commemoration of World TB Day, 2024, said, that even though TB is preventable and treatable, the number of TB deaths in 2022 reached 424,000, resulting in the loss of one life every minute.
These figures according to the statement, underscore the urgency of collective action in addressing the ongoing TB epidemic and highlighting the need for sustained efforts to end it.
Dr Moeti urged all Member States to prioritise a multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of the disease while bolstering their efforts in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
According to the statement, the WHO African Region supports member states’ fight against TB in Africa by setting strategic directions, developing monitoring tools, like the African TB scorecard with the African Union, and ensuring progress towards the End TB Strategy.
Diagnosing 70% of TB patients, is another milestone, marking a substantial reduction in missed cases and propelling the WHO African Region closer to its goal.
Between 2015 and 2022, the region achieved a remarkable 38% reduction in TB deaths, surpassing the initial End TB Strategy milestone of 35% by 2020.
From 2015 to 2022, the region also saw a 23% reduction in new TB cases, exceeding the initial End TB Strategy target of 20% by 2020.
Reduction in TB deaths though commendable, still falls short of the 2025 End TB Strategy target of a 75% reduction, just as the 23% decline in TB incidence misses the mark of the 50% reduction target for 2025 hence the need for continued and intensified efforts to meet these ambitious goals.
Dr Moeti, however, stressed that challenges such as delayed diagnosis, limited access to new tools and technologies, and the ongoing threat of multi-drug resistant TB require continued vigilance and sustained efforts.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa noted that the Organisation is dedicated to generating and sharing knowledge on effective TB control methods and supports countries by updating TB treatment guidelines to reflect the latest practices and expanding access to rapid diagnostic tools.
Emphasising the importance of regional cooperation, the WHO African Regional Director, encouraged the exchange of knowledge and collaborative efforts across countries, significantly advancing the mission to eliminate TB as a public health threat in Africa.
She urged health leaders to intensify their commitment to strengthening health systems, ensuring equitable access to TB care, and scaling up innovative interventions while calling on stakeholders to partner by providing resources, enhancing community engagement, conducting research, and forming private-sector partnerships.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa emphasised that it is only through unified action, that the region can address the challenges of TB and achieve its goal of eliminating TB as a public health threat.
Dr Moeti noted that countries must prioritise addressing the social determinants of TB, such as poverty, inequality, and limited access to healthcare, to achieve sustainable outcomes adding that collaboration across sectors and borders is paramount.
