Tuberculosis in Africa continues to claim victims and international organizations committed to the right to health have an urgent appeal to institutions to improve access to treatment.
Alarm is also growing in Europe and the World Health Organisation, recognizing the growing increase in TB and its resistant forms in many EU countries, has ordered an in-depth analysis to identify gaps and suggest solutions. However, there has been little progress at national and regional levels in ensuring access to WHO-recommended medicines and addressing supply issues.
Many accessible TB drugs and pharmaceutical formulations in low- and middle-income countries remain unaffordable.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the Mycobacterium genus. It is spread mainly through droplets released into the air when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. If not treated properly, tuberculosis can be fatal.
In Africa, tuberculosis is a major public health problem. The continent has one of the highest incidence rates of the disease, with around 2.4 million new cases reported each year. Factors contributing to the spread of tuberculosis in Africa include poverty, malnutrition, lack of access to health services and HIV/AIDS, which compromises the immune system and makes people more susceptible to contracting the disease.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the international community’s involvement and commitment in the fight against tuberculosis in Africa is still very limited. Financial and technical resources are often insufficient and disease prevention and control programs are often ineffective or insufficiently widespread.
However, there are some initiatives and projects underway to try to eradicate tuberculosis in Africa. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the “WHO Tuberculosis Without Borders Strategy” which aims to reduce the number of tuberculosis cases and disease-related deaths by 2035.
Furthermore, efforts are underway to improve access to disease diagnosis and treatment services, including the distribution of more effective anti-tuberculosis drugs and training of local health workers.
However, much remains to be done to effectively combat the spread of tuberculosis in Africa. Greater commitment and cooperation between governments, international organizations and civil society is needed to reduce the incidence of the disease and improve access to health services for those affected.
In conclusion, tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge in Africa. Only with greater involvement and commitment from the international community will it be possible to eradicate this disease and ensure a healthy and prosperous life for the people living on the continent.
