By Cynthia Ayuk
Each year, an estimated 1.23 million people die from tuberculosis (TB) worldwide, making it one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. Despite the alarming figures, governments, health institutions, and civil society organisations across the globe continue to intensify efforts aimed at ending the disease.
Global spending on TB care and prevention in low- and middle-income countries is estimated at about 5.7 billion US dollars annually. However, this amount remains far below the estimated 22 billion dollars required each year to meet global TB targets, resulting in widening treatment gaps and significant economic consequences.
Drug-sensitive tuberculosis continues to pose a major public health challenge, with health experts and civil society organisations calling for increased awareness to combat stigma surrounding the disease. Despite being preventable and curable, many people diagnosed with TB still face discrimination, fear, and social isolation within their communities.
Speaking to The SUN, the Executive Director of KENKO Foundation, one of the local organisations involved in TB awareness and advocacy, noted that although considerable resources have been mobilised globally, nationally, and locally to fight TB, more support is still needed.
“A lot of resources have been put in place globally, nationally, and locally to respond to the TB challenge. Unfortunately, more still needs to be committed to adequately deal with the challenge, as there is an estimated 70 per cent gap in the required funding,” he said.
He further expressed gratitude to partners supporting TB interventions.
“Today, we are grateful for all the support we have received from the Stop TB Partnership through the Challenge Facility for Civil Society 2025 RESPECT Grant, which has greatly supported our work. We are equally grateful to the National TB Control Programme, prison authorities, and community health workers across the world who remain at the frontline of efforts to end TB,” he added.
Health experts say stigma remains one of the greatest barriers preventing people from seeking early diagnosis and treatment. In many communities, individuals living with TB are often misunderstood, avoided, or wrongly perceived as dangerous, leading some patients to hide their condition or delay visiting health facilities.
The fear of discrimination often discourages infected persons from openly discussing their illness, thereby increasing the risk of transmission and worsening health outcomes.
Medical professionals explained that drug-sensitive TB responds effectively to standard TB medication when patients strictly adhere to treatment prescribed by healthcare providers. Early detection and proper treatment adherence remain critical in preventing complications and reducing the spread of the disease.
As part of activities marking this year’s World TB Day, KENKO Foundation participated in a drug-resistant TB awareness and sensitisation campaign in the Idenau fishing communities, aimed at educating residents on prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment adherence.
Health workers also highlighted the importance of responsible media reporting in shaping public perception about tuberculosis. Journalists were urged to promote factual and sensitive reporting that educates the public without reinforcing fear or stigma against affected persons.
Public health officials further stressed that community engagement remains essential in the fight against TB. Religious leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups, women’s associations, and local media outlets all have important roles to play in promoting awareness and encouraging people experiencing persistent cough, weight loss, fever, or night sweats to seek prompt medical attention.
They emphasised that increased screening and timely treatment are necessary steps toward reducing the burden of tuberculosis and achieving the global goal of ending TB.
