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An analysis of
tuberculosis in developing and developed world: Nigeria and
UK as a case study
Semeeh A. Omoleke
Medical Research Council
Unit (UK), Fajara, P. O. Box 273, Banjul, The Gambia.
E-mail: talk2semeeh@yahoo.co.uk or
somoleke@mrc.gm. Tel:
+2203124499.
Accepted 9 May, 2012 |
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Tuberculosis (TB) is a
re-emerging infectious disease of international health
priority. It is particularly worrisome in Africa, which
informed the declaration of public health emergency by the
World Health Organisation in 2005. In this study, inferences
were drawn from the literature, secondary data and empirical
observations. The results indicated that TB still remains a
major public health challenge, particularly in the
developing world where the socio-economic indices are quite
appalling. Despite these, there seems to be little or no
sincere political will, as the health systems in such
settings are still weak (infrastructural decay, poor
workforce strength and low level of motivation, poor health
financing and poor service delivery) and incapable of coping
with this challenge. There are also concerns about
surveillance data generated from the developing world as
this might have undermined TB control strategies. Therefore,
if the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
6C is to be realised, the socio-economic and political
determinants of TB, being the root cause should be given
adequate attention while simultaneously addressing the
challenges confronting the medical approach. In addition, a
countrywide prevalence survey is strongly recommended as a
first step in understanding the true epidemiology and
combating the scourge of TB in these regions. A well
conducted national prevalence survey can serve as a better
and more reliable source of data for strategic TB planning
and resource allocation in Africa and other developing
countries.
Key words:
Tuberculosis (TB),
millennium development goals (MDGs),
directly observed therapy short-course (DOTS), surveillance,
social determinants, prevalence survey, developed and
developing countries. |
