By Ndey Sowe
Dr. Nathan Bakyaita, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to The Gambia, has emphasized the need for stronger community involvement in TB prevention and treatment efforts to accelerate progress in the fight against the disease.
“To accelerate progress, we must enhance surveillance, expand access to diagnostic tools and second-line medications, explore avenues for sustainable funding, and invest in continuous training and capacity building for health workers,” Dr. Bakyaita stated during the commemoration of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day under the theme ‘Yes, We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.’
TB remains a major global health challenge, causing 1.2 million deaths annually. Despite significant progress in prevention and control, the disease continues to impact millions worldwide. In The Gambia, TB remains a pressing concern. While the incidence rate declined from 153 to 145 cases per 100,000 population between 2020 and 2022, the mortality rate (excluding those with HIV co-infection) has risen from 21 to 26 per 100,000, underscoring the need for urgent interventions.
Dr. Bakyaita also highlighted the growing threat posed by drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), which complicates treatment and presents a significant public health challenge. He further noted that TB/HIV co-infection remains the leading cause of death among people living with HIV, worsening the burden of the disease.
Despite these challenges, he acknowledged that The Gambia’s Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and key stakeholders, has made significant strides in TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
“I urge all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to TB control. Let us invest in robust health systems, deliver effective interventions, and foster strategic partnerships to drive progress. Together, we can achieve a TB-free future,” Dr. Bakyaita added.
Call for Investment and Innovation in TB Care
Dr. Abdou K. Sillah, a Research Clinician at the Medical Research Council (MRC), echoed the urgent need for commitment, investment, and action in combating TB, which he described as one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.
“There is an urgent need for commitment and political will from governments worldwide to invest resources in order to deliver proven WHO-recommended interventions such as early detection, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and high-quality TB care, particularly for drug-resistant patients,” Dr. Sillah stressed.
He noted that TB management has historically focused on diagnosis and treatment, with an emphasis on disease outcomes such as cure, treatment completion, and loss of follow-up. However, he emphasized that TB’s impact does not end with treatment, as the disease often leads to long-term pulmonary complications. He called for a paradigm shift to address Post-TB Lung Disease as part of comprehensive TB care and management.
National Commitment to Ending TB
Marie Bass Gomez, Programme Manager of the National TB and Leprosy Program (NLTP), reaffirmed her office’s dedication to eliminating TB in The Gambia.
“We have made significant strides in strengthening TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention efforts, but we recognize that much more needs to be done. We cannot win this fight alone. It requires the collective effort of government, health professionals, civil society organizations, researchers, and, most importantly, communities affected by TB,” she stated.
TB remains a major public health challenge, affecting individuals, families, and communities. As stakeholders renew their commitment to ending the disease, they continue to advocate for increased funding, improved healthcare services, and the adoption of innovative strategies to accelerate progress toward a TB-free future.
