Official hails Akwa Ibom’s global recognition in TB fight

The Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme, Dr Nsisong Asanga, has hailed the state’s nomination for the Konchon Prize for Tuberculosis Control, saying the recognition reflects sustained investment and the progress made in the fight against the disease.

The Konchon Prize is internationally recognised for celebrating outstanding contributions to tuberculosis prevention, care and support.

This year’s edition focuses on organisations that have successfully integrated TB services into broader community health and development programmes, making Akwa Ibom’s nomination particularly significant.

In a statement issued in Uyo on Monday, Asanga described the nomination as a shared achievement, attributing it to the contributions of healthcare workers, local government tuberculosis teams, community volunteers, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, civil society groups, development partners and the media.

She said the nomination has placed a global spotlight on the state’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading examples of innovative tuberculosis control.

“For decades, tuberculosis has remained one of Nigeria’s deadliest infectious diseases, claiming thousands of lives each year despite being preventable and curable. Although significant progress has been made, late diagnosis, poor awareness and inadequate domestic funding continue to hamper efforts to eliminate the disease.

“Against this backdrop, the nomination of the Akwa Ibom State Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme for the prestigious Konchon Prize has placed a global spotlight on the state’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading examples of innovative tuberculosis control.

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“This recognition reflects years of sustained investment in community-centred interventions designed to detect cases early, improve access to treatment and reduce transmission,” she said.

Highlighting the programme’s achievements, Asanga said the AKSTBLCP coordinates tuberculosis, leprosy and Buruli ulcer control activities across the state’s 31 local government areas and provides free TB diagnosis and treatment while working with healthcare facilities, communities and development partners to ensure patients are identified and treated before complications arise.

“Operating under the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, the AKSTBLCP coordinates tuberculosis, leprosy and Buruli ulcer control activities across the state’s 31 local government areas. The programme provides free TB diagnosis and treatment while working with healthcare facilities, communities and development partners to ensure that patients are identified and treated before complications arise.

“One of its major strengths has been taking services beyond hospitals into communities where many people would otherwise remain undiagnosed.

“Among its notable innovations are the integration of childhood tuberculosis screening into Maternal and Child Health Week activities, expanded active case finding and household contact tracing, improved deployment of portable digital X-ray technology for community screening, and the extension of quality TB services to underserved and hard-to-reach communities,” she said.

She added that the programme has also strengthened collaboration with HIV, malaria, nutrition, neglected tropical diseases and epidemiology programmes, recognising that integrated healthcare delivery improves health outcomes while making more efficient use of limited resources.

Asanga also expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for his administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and acknowledged the leadership of the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Emmanuel Ekem John; the Permanent Secretary, Dr Patrick Essiet; and the former Director of Public Health, Dr Bassey Akpan.