No fewer than 50,000 Nigerians have tested positive for tuberculosis (TB) following intensified national screening efforts, according to the Global Fund, an international health financing organisation.
Despite the surge in case identification, many of those affected have yet to be placed on treatment, raising concerns about Nigeria’s capacity to control the spread of the disease and prevent further transmission.
Mr Ibrahim Tajudeen, Executive Secretary of the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) in Nigeria, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the 11th quarterly meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
“We have successfully screened more than 50,000 people who tested positive for TB, but we are unable to initiate treatment for many due to limited resources,” Tajudeen stated.
He noted that the backlog in treatment is a direct consequence of funding constraints, arising from the re-prioritisation of activities under the new Global Fund grant.
“The CCM is expected to confirm alignment with the revised funding allocation by 14 July, a deadline that could determine whether those affected receive timely, life-saving treatment,” he added.
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Tajudeen warned that TB, though preventable and curable, remains one of Nigeria’s leading infectious disease threats, and stressed that diagnosis without treatment risks worsening the epidemic.
In highlighting broader health efforts, he noted:
- Over 25.5 million TB tests have been conducted using advanced diagnostic platforms.
- 370 digital X-ray machines have been procured, with many already delivered to states.
- The upgrade of six regional reference laboratories is currently ongoing.
He also referenced support for malaria control, noting that 16.6 million insecticide-treated nets had been distributed across the country.
In terms of donor support, Tajudeen said US$95.5 million had been committed to ongoing interventions.
However, shortfalls in budget projections have forced the suspension of key activities, including drug procurement, personnel training, and capital investments.
“Screening alone is not enough. Without access to treatment, we risk fuelling the very epidemic we aim to control,” he warned.
Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest TB burden globally, as health advocates call for stronger collaboration and sustained funding to bridge the care gap.
Experts warn that leaving diagnosed individuals untreated increases the risk of community transmission and undermines national public health goals.
The Global Fund supports Nigeria’s fight against HIV, TB, and malaria by providing essential medicines, diagnostic tools, and strengthening health systems through training, digital health technologies, laboratory infrastructure, and community-based services.
Its recent efforts include deploying digital X-ray machines, upgrading diagnostic laboratories, and expanding access to oxygen plants and solar-powered health facilities.