TB Network Calls for Increased Funding to Tackle Rising Tuberculosis Burden in Kano
By Pulse Time Nigeria
The Tuberculosis Network in Kano State have appealed to the Kano State House of Assembly to increase funding for tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, citing the growing public health threat posed by the disease across the state.
The appeal was made through a formal submission presented by the Executive Director of the TB Network, Sunusi Hashimu, who emphasized that the request became necessary due to the persistent TB burden in Kano, which remains one of the states with the highest prevalence of the disease in Nigeria.
Kano State, with its large population to, accounts for a significant proportion of TB cases nationally. According to national TB data, the state recorded an estimated 39,420 TB cases in 2022, out of which 36,843 patients were successfully notified and treated, representing a 93 percent treatment coverage—the highest ever recorded by any state in Nigeria.
Despite this achievement, the TB Network noted that several challenges continue to undermine efforts to completely control the disease. These challenges, according to the group, threaten to reverse the gains already recorded if urgent steps are not taken.
One of the major concerns raised is inadequate TB detection and diagnosis, as many cases remain undiagnosed or unreported due to limited diagnostic equipment and insufficient funding for awareness campaigns, especially in hard-to-reach communities.
The network also highlighted treatment gaps resulting from shortages of essential supplies such as sputum cups, laboratory cartridges, and reporting RRR tools, which are critical for effective TB case management and monitoring.
In addition, inadequate human resource capacity remains a major obstacle, as the shortage of trained healthcare personnel continues to limit the reach and effectiveness of TB control programmes across health facilities in the state.
Addressing the funding situation, the TB Network revealed that the 2025 TB budget stood at ₦200 million, an amount that was retained in the 2026 budget proposal despite the increasing challenges faced by the programme.
As a result, the network formally requested an upward review of the 2026 TB budget from ₦200 million to ₦300 million, arguing that increased funding is essential to strengthen prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and human resource capacity.
“Increased funding will directly contribute to reducing TB incidence and mortality, align with national health priorities, and improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of Kano State,” Sunusi Hashimu stated.
“By investing more in TB control, Kano State can build a healthier population and set an example for addressing other public health challenges.”
The TB Network further called on the Kano State House of Assembly to support the request by allocating additional resources to TB control programmes, expressing confidence that legislative backing would significantly reduce the TB burden in the state.
The group also acknowledged the commitment of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf toward improving the health sector through various projects and initiatives, expressing optimism that sustained political will would translate into stronger TB interventions.