Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Tom Nyirenda, Extraordinary Senior Lecture in the Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University
Published on 2024-03-22 14:14:43
Every year, tuberculosis affects 10 million people globally, claiming the lives of 1.5 million individuals annually. It stands as the deadliest infectious disease worldwide, with over 25% of deaths occurring in African nations. The World Health Organization has set a goal to reduce TB deaths by 95% by 2035, aiming to tackle this monumental challenge. Despite the adversity, global health and infectious disease specialist Tom Nyirenda shares some hopeful insights with health editor Nadine Dreyer.
Tuberculosis, being a disease linked to poverty, thrives in overcrowded and poor living conditions. It spreads through the air when infected individuals cough, sneeze, or spit, with victims requiring only minimal exposure to become infected. Discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis, caused widespread fatalities in both affluent and impoverished populations. The Industrial Revolution’s urbanization of the poor in squalid conditions exacerbated the disease’s spread, leading to high mortality rates in the US and Europe.
While effective antibiotic treatments in the 1940s significantly reduced TB rates in developed countries, impoverished regions struggle due to the cycle of poverty and illness. Despite these challenges, progress has been made in combatting TB in certain African countries. The WHO reported a one-third reduction in TB deaths in Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, South Sudan, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia since 2015. These successes stem from common strategies like resource prioritization, symptom recognition education, destigmatization efforts, and community involvement in patient care.
Advancements in tuberculosis diagnostics have brought about significant improvements, such as the GeneXpert system, capable of diagnosing TB within an hour. This breakthrough technology, alongside ongoing vaccine development efforts, offers hope for more effective disease management. The emergence of multidrug-resistant TB strains underscores the urgency of developing an effective vaccine, with 17 candidates currently in various stages of clinical trials, including the promising M72 experimental vaccine.
Although medical progress is crucial in the fight against TB, addressing poverty remains imperative in combating this devastating disease effectively. As we strive for innovative solutions and advancements in TB treatment, fostering community involvement and maintaining a holistic approach is key to achieving the WHO’s ambitious goal of reducing TB deaths worldwide.
