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.