********Adirieje Calls for Integrated Action on Tuberculosis in Fragile Urban Settings
********AHOA Boss Stressed The Increasing Complexity of TB Control in Rapidly Expanding Urban Centres Across African Continent
By Victor Bieni, Abuja
The Chief Executive Officer, Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, has called for urgent, coordinated action to tackle the growing burden of tuberculosis in urban, fragile, and climate-stressed environments.
Royal Paradise Media (News Online) learnt this from Nigerian Global Health & Development expert in a telephone conversation with our reporter today being on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 as he briefed our reporter on the outcome of the just concluded 10th edition of AHOA’s Life and Health Dialogue Series held on March 10, 2026.
Speaking to our reporter, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje stated that dialogue session was themed: ‘Tuberculosis Control in Urban, Fragile and Climate-Stressed Settings’. AHOA Boss highlighted the increasing complexity of TB control in rapidly expanding urban centres across low and middle-income countries.
In the words of AHOA CEO: “The rising population density, the proliferation of informal settlements, and limited access to quality healthcare services are creating conditions that accelerate TB transmission, particularly among vulnerable populations”.
“Tuberculosis remains one of the leading infectious causes of death globally, disproportionately affecting those in poverty, overcrowded environments, and underserved communities. He further warned that climate change is compounding the challenge. Floods, heatwaves, and displacement are disrupting health systems and increasing vulnerability in already fragile settings.
“The dialogue brought together policymakers, public health experts, researchers, civil society actors, and development partners. Participants explored solutions for strengthening TB prevention, detection, and treatment. Addressing TB in such environments requires more than clinical interventions”.
“We must emphasized here that there is need for multisectoral approaches that tackle social determinants of health. These included amongst others are: Housing, nutrition, environmental conditions, and access to care. AHOA also stressed the importance of strengthening health systems to ensure resilience against emerging challenges, while aligning national responses with the global TB elimination agenda of the World Health Organization”.
“This underscored the critical role of civil society organizations in raising awareness, reducing stigma, supporting treatment adherence, and reaching underserved populations. Community-based actors are often closest to those most affected and play a vital role in ensuring no one is left behind. The session examined innovative and climate-sensitive approaches to TB control, including improved surveillance systems, enhanced diagnostic capacity, and community-driven interventions”.
“Participants were expected to generate actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening partnerships, improving service delivery, and advancing coordinated responses to TB in vulnerable settings. The forum sought to deepen understanding of the social, environmental, and structural drivers of TB transmission, while promoting evidence-based policy dialogue and knowledge sharing. Dr. Adirieje concluded by urging stakeholders to translate discussions into practical solutions and sustained collaboration. Through collective action, innovation, and commitment, he said, the world can move closer to eliminating tuberculosis as a public health threat”.
“Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is a Nigerian global health and development expert, health economist, and civil society leader. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Programmes Director of the Afrihealth Optonet Association, a global civil society network and think-tank with over 3,000 member organisations in more than 120 countries. AHOA works at the intersection of health, climate action, and sustainable development”.
“Dr. Adirieje has extensive experience in policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainable development practice. Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje has provided technical leadership for key national and international initiatives, including Nigeria’s National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy and independent evaluations of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. His work covers health systems strengthening, climate justice advocacy, civil society mobilisation, and evidence-based policy engagement”.
“Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is a respected voice in global development discourse, he convenes the Life and Health Dialogue Series, a platform for advancing policy dialogue on health, climate, and sustainable development across Africa and the Global South. He is a Certified Management Consultant and an advocate for equity-driven development. Dr. Adirieje promotes integrated approaches that link health, environment, and governance to achieve inclusive and sustainable outcomes”.