Efforts to curb tuberculosis (TB) in Kano State are under serious threat following persistent shortages of essential drugs and diagnostic supplies, the Society for Child Support and Economic Empowerment (SOCCEE) has warned.
The organisation called on relevant authorities to take urgent steps to address the situation, cautioning that the scarcity of TB medications and testing materials could reverse gains made in the fight against the disease.
Speaking in Kano on Friday, SOCCEE Executive Director, Sunusi Hashim, expressed concern over the prolonged unavailability of critical TB diagnostic commodities, particularly GeneXpert cartridges, during the first and second quarters of 2026.
According to him, the shortages have disrupted healthcare services across numerous facilities, denying thousands of patients access to vital treatment and diagnostic services.
“Between 3,000 and 4,000 TB patients in Kano State are currently out of treatment,” Hashim said.
He explained that SOCCEE has broadened its intervention programmes to cover 30 local government areas in the state, leading to the identification of more than 1,500 confirmed TB cases, while approximately 800 patients have been successfully enrolled for treatment.
Hashim, however, warned that if the current shortages persist, Kano could witness a severe public health emergency within the next three to four months.
“The challenge is that we identify suspected cases and collect samples, but facilities lack commodities for diagnosis,” he said.
He noted that the lack of essential supplies has significantly weakened community-level interventions, as healthcare workers are unable to provide the necessary services despite ongoing case-finding efforts.
The SOCCEE chief urged the Federal Government, Kano State Government and local government councils to immediately intervene by ensuring the availability of drugs and diagnostic materials.
He also advocated the creation of a dedicated budget line for tuberculosis control in Kano State, stressing that TB programmes should not be lumped together with broader health interventions such as HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Hashim maintained that the current allocation of N250 million for TB-related activities falls far short of what is required to sustain effective service delivery across the state.
He added that the amount is inadequate to procure sufficient diagnostic cartridges to meet even a month’s demand.
Highlighting efforts by civil society groups to tackle the disease, Hashim disclosed that SOCCEE is collaborating with 17 organisations to promote awareness, encourage early detection and support patients undergoing treatment.
“Our goal is to ensure patients complete their medication and prevent further spread,” Hashim said.
He further appealed to government authorities to not only increase funding for TB programmes but also ensure that approved funds are released promptly to avoid disruptions in service delivery.
Hashim equally called on local government councils to play a more active role in supporting tuberculosis control initiatives within their respective communities.
