Inside the TB Community Learning Forum: Stories, Struggles, and a Shared Hope for Ending Tuberculosis in Nigeria

 Inside the TB Community Learning Forum: Stories, Struggles, and a Shared Hope for Ending Tuberculosis in Nigeria

In a powerful convergence of voices, the TB Community Learning Forum recently brought together health professionals, civil society actors, traditional leaders, patients, and government officials in Nigeria. The event was not just another gathering, but a compelling moment of reflection, learning, and renewed commitment to ending tuberculosis in our communities. From technical discussions to personal testimonies, every session revealed both the challenges and the hope that define the fight against TB in Nigeria.

The forum began with opening remarks from Dr. Shadrack of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP). With clarity and urgency, he reminded the room of the importance of collaboration between implementing partners and state health systems. He emphasized that no one actor can end TB alone, it requires joint effort and shared responsibility. Dr. Shadrack also encouraged health workers to adopt the shorter TB treatment regimens now available, stressing the need to reach deeper into communities through active engagement and sensitization. He reassured everyone of NTBLCP’s continued support and commended the leadership and progress being made in Kano State and across the Northwest region.

Discussions around TB screening painted a vivid picture of how local action is shaping results. The TB Local Supervisor from Bagwai and a Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) officer from Bichi shared firsthand experiences from the field. Their stories highlighted how crucial community involvement has been, especially the role of traditional and community leaders in mobilizing people and creating awareness. They spoke about the impact of going house to house, the use of portable X-ray machines to bring diagnostics closer to the people, and the importance of supportive supervision in improving outcomes and accountability at all levels.

In the session on diagnosis, the state quality assurance officer walked participants through the similarities and differences between the two major molecular platforms used for TB detection: GeneXpert and Truenat. Both endorsed by the World Health Organization and are capable of detecting TB and rifampicin resistance. However, the GeneXpert platform was described as having greater sensitivity and stronger overall performance, although Truenat may offer some flexibility in resource-constrained environments.

When the Honourable Commissioner of Health, Dr Labaran Yusuf took the stage, his message was clear,

community mobilization and media engagement are indispensable tools in the journey to end TB. He underscored the need to reach people where they are, to inform and inspire them to seek care early. He also stressed the role of immunization, particularly the BCG vaccine, in protecting children. According to him, if administered within the first 48 hours of birth, BCG can completely prevent TB in children, a simple yet powerful intervention that must be scaled up.

Equally compelling were the stories shared during the session on treatment. Medical officers discussed the positive response patients have shown to the newer, shorter regimens which also come with fewer side effects. But it was the voices of the survivors and caregivers that left the deepest impression. One caregiver described a long, frustrating journey marked by misdiagnosis and delays, often confusing TB symptoms with ulcers or other conditions due to lack of awareness. Khadija, a young woman who had battled the disease, shared a deeply personal account. “I and almost everyone around me gave up on life except my father,” she said. “And because of that, I felt hopeful and tried to get better. Alhamdulillah, I am now better.” Her words reminded everyone of the importance of family support, community empathy, and never giving up.

The role of traditional institutions was brought to life by the representatives of the Emir of Kano State, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, Dr Bashir Muhammad, Dankaden Kano, Hakimin Tudun Wada and Chairman of the Emirate Council on Health. They shared how the Emir’s leadership has been instrumental in tackling health challenges in Kano, including leveraging technology to identify children who need immunization. They spoke of how traditional rulers have addressed resistance to polio vaccination and expressed readiness to support TB eradication through community-based mobilization across all 44 Local Government Areas.

The Director General of the Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA) brought a different but related dimension into focus. He described TB and HIV as “evil duets” that often reinforce each other’s impact. To fight them effectively, he said, there must be strong collaboration between programs and a deliberate effort to engage civil society organizations across the state to improve coordination and field-level implementation.

From the civil society front, Amina Yakubu, RAHAMA’s TB Champion, spoke passionately about the strategies that have worked in reaching the most vulnerable. She described how her team identifies index cases and carries out sensitization activities in a way that protects the dignity and confidentiality of individuals, ensuring that no one’s status is disclosed. She also mentioned the importance of school outreaches and community engagement with at-risk populations as part of a wider strategy to increase access.

Peer supporters also had their moment, sharing insights into how survivor stories and peer mentoring can play a powerful role in reducing stigma and keeping patients on treatment. They called attention to the importance of nutritional support for patients, many of whom suffer from or are at risk of malnutrition, which can severely affect their recovery.

As the forum came to a close, what stood out was not just the technical knowledge shared, but the deeply human stories that connected everyone in the room. The battle against TB is not just about diagnostics or drugs, it’s about people. It's about believing in their ability to heal, supporting them through the journey, and removing the barriers that hold them back.

The TB Community Learning Forum reminded us that ending TB is not only possible, it is within reach if we remain united, informed, and committed. It takes every voice, every hand, and every heart.

For more photos of the event, click here

#EndTB #TBFreeKano #InsightLearningForum #RAHAMAHealth #StrongerTogether