Strengthening Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Healthcare Amidst COVID-19: A Call to Action

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has impeded various health systems worldwide, causing a decline in the surveillance, diagnosis and treatment of various other infectious diseases, including major diseases like Tuberculosis. The challenges associated with the pandemic have adversely impacted tuberculosis control efforts globally, resulting in a decline in tuberculosis detection, surveillance and healthcare provision. This is attributed to the redirection of diagnostic, healthcare and treatment services to the COVID-19 response, and the persistence of public stigma towards tuberculosis and COVID-19 patients, amongst other challenges. To avoid a further decline in tuberculosis control efforts, the necessary approaches recommended include improvement of tuberculosis detection by employing rapid diagnostic techniques, upgrading of treatment administration to reduce the risk of transmission and drug resistance, engagement of governments, policymakers and non-governmental bodies on the need for enhanced tuberculosis eradication strategies, and implementation of awareness campaigns to reduce the associated public stigma. As tuberculosis has remained a major public health threat over the years, it is pertinent to minimize the impediments and ensure continuity of global tuberculosis control efforts amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This will ensure progress in line with the World Health Organization’s global strategy to end tuberculosis.