Osei-Wusu Stephen, Asare Prince, Danso Emelia Konadu, Asogun Danny, Otchere Isaac Darko, Asante-Poku Adwoa, Yeboah-Manu Dorothy
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria.
IJID Reg. 2025 Mar 19;14(Suppl 2):100594. doi: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100594. eCollection 2025 Mar.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge in West Africa, exacerbated by factors such as HIV, malnutrition, non-communicable diseases, drug-resistant TB, and under-resourced health systems. Addressing these challenges is essential to achieving the World Health Organization's End TB Strategy and Universal Health Coverage goals. This paper explores key strategies for tackling TB and its associated risks in the region. Malnutrition, non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, chronic respiratory diseases, and substance abuse amplify TB burdens. Health system strengthening is pivotal for early TB detection and management. Expanding diagnostic capabilities, particularly through the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay and Hub-and-Spoke models, alongside workforce development and retention, is crucial. Regional collaborations such as the West African Network of Excellence for Tuberculosis, AIDS, and Malaria (WANETAM) and the Pan-Africa Network for Genomic Surveillance of Poverty-Related Diseases and Emerging Pathogens (PANGenS) demonstrate the importance of collective efforts in research and genomic surveillance. Our article highlights the importance of integrated healthcare approaches, regional partnerships, and community engagement in reducing TB prevalence and improving outcomes. These strategies will not only combat TB but also address its social determinants, advancing health equity in West Africa. By adopting these measures, the region can make significant strides toward UN TB SDG goals.
结核病（TB）在西非仍然是一项重大的公共卫生挑战，而艾滋病毒、营养不良、非传染性疾病、耐药结核病以及卫生系统资源不足等因素使这一挑战更加严峻。应对这些挑战对于实现世界卫生组织的终止结核病战略和全民健康覆盖目标至关重要。本文探讨了应对该地区结核病及其相关风险的关键策略。营养不良、高血压、慢性呼吸道疾病和药物滥用等非传染性疾病加剧了结核病负担。加强卫生系统对于结核病的早期检测和管理至关重要。扩大诊断能力，特别是通过GeneXpert MTB/RIF检测和“轮辐式”模式，同时进行劳动力培养和保留，至关重要。西非结核病、艾滋病和疟疾卓越网络（WANETAM）以及泛非贫困相关疾病和新兴病原体基因组监测网络（PANGenS）等区域合作表明了集体努力在研究和基因组监测中的重要性。我们的文章强调了综合医疗方法、区域伙伴关系和社区参与在降低结核病患病率和改善治疗效果方面的重要性。这些策略不仅将抗击结核病，还将解决其社会决定因素，促进西非的健康公平。通过采取这些措施，该地区能够在实现联合国结核病可持续发展目标方面取得重大进展。
