By Fatou Bojang
During a Monday gathering at the Gambia National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Control Program (NLTP) office, health officials and advocates urged enhanced funding and commitment to combat tuberculosis as they joined the global community in observing World TB Day.
The event underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts to eliminate TB, a preventable and treatable disease that continues to affect millions of lives worldwide.
At the ceremony, Marie Bass Gomez, program manager of NLTP, emphasized this year’s theme, “Yes, We Can End TB; Commit, Invest, Deliver,” highlighting the ongoing battle against TB despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment.
She noted that while significant progress has been made in The Gambia, all stakeholders’ collective efforts are vital for further success. Dr. Abdou K. Sillah from the Medical Research Council Gambia brought attention to alarming statistics from 2023, which revealed that 10.8 million people fell ill with TB globally, leading to 1.25 million deaths, primarily in low- and middle-income countries.
He called for a united commitment from governments to allocate essential resources for effective TB interventions, including early detection and high-quality care for drug-resistant cases. Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Momodou T. Nyassi, Director of Health Services, reiterated the need for a decisive and collaborative approach among governments, the private sector, and communities.
He pointed out that investing in TB control is a health priority and a moral and economic imperative. Dr. Nyassi advocated increased funding for research and infrastructure, emphasizing that enhancing public awareness and healthcare capacity is crucial in the fight against TB.
As the world commemorates this important day, the message is clear: collaborative action and financial commitment are essential for eradicating tuberculosis, a disease that continues to devastate lives and communities globally.
