Implementing TB Surveillance in Nigeria: Best Practices, Challenges and Lessons Learnt ()
ABSTRACT
Introduction: TB
Surveillance is a critical component of the global TB response. Comprehensive,
accurate and timely information on TB is crucial for an effective TB control
program hence the need for a robust tuberculosis surveillance system in all
countries that contribute to the global burden of TB including Nigeria. Against
this backdrop, an intervention was set in motion to triangulate the information from the health data reporting
systems towards improving the overall surveillance system for TB in the
country. Objectives: This article highlights the best
practices, lessons learnt and challenges associated with the implementation of
TB surveillance in Nigeria. In resource-limited settings such as Nigeria
where health systems including health information management are sub-optimal,
there is a heavy reliance on national and sub-national TB surveillance systems.
TB data is mainly reported through the National Tuberculosis Control, however
the integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) system also provides a
platform for TB data collation through the LGA and State disease surveillance
and notification officers. Conclusion: Implementing
TB surveillance in Nigeria brought to fore the need for a wider engagement of
all health facilities in TB control. As a dividend of the TB surveillance intervention,
quality of care was improved in the private health sector through effective
linkages to the commodity management system of the NTP and the national
treatment guidelines. Strengthening community health surveillance system was
identified as a critical element of Tuberculosis control. Also, the efficiency
birthed by the integration of TB surveillance into the IDSR structure opened up
other potential opportunities such as a unified capacity building of community
informants on all notifiable diseases and the integration of reporting and risk
communication for all health issues at the community level.
Share and Cite:
Kusimo, O. , Ugwu, C. , Aduh, U. and Okoro, C. (2020) Implementing TB Surveillance in Nigeria: Best Practices, Challenges and Lessons Learnt.
Journal of Tuberculosis Research,
8, 199-208. doi:
10.4236/jtr.2020.84018.