Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among people living
with the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) worldwide. It kills up to half of
all HIV patients.
Without proper
treatment, approximately 90% of those living with HIV die within months of
contracting TB. TB considerably shortens
the life and survival of people with HIV.
The country officer of the UNAIDS in The
Gambia, Nuha Ceesay, on Saturday said globally, an estimated 13% of TB cases
are co-infected with HIV and at least one third of the nearly 33 million people
living with HIV are infected with the bacterium that causes TB.
“The dual epidemic is particularly
pervasive in Africa, where 80% of the total global burden of dual HIV/TB cases
is found,” he said while speaking at the commencement of a
two-day training on HIV-Tuberculosis (TB) co-infection organised by the
Association of Health Journalists (AoHJ) for its members, with the financial
support of the UNAIDS.
“It is apparent that without urgent and
long-term action, the epidemic will continue to take an unacceptable toll of
death and suffering in countries and communities throughout,” he added.
