World Tuberculosis Day is celebrated on March 24th. In Senegal, treatment is progressing, but challenges remain. Indeed, a study by the National Tuberculosis Control Program (PNT) reveals serious shortcomings in patient care in Senegal, despite the efforts made by health authorities.

Major financial and structural obstacles

The main shortcoming identified by the study concerns the patients' lack of financial resources, cited in 86.6% of cases. Although tuberculosis treatment is free, indirect costs—transportation, additional tests, and food—represent a significant barrier to accessing and adhering to care. Added to this is the remoteness of healthcare facilities, affecting 40% of patients, making it difficult to keep medical appointments, particularly in rural areas and for certain socio-professional groups such as fishermen.

A worrying lack of information

The study also highlights a critical lack of information. Several groups, including gold miners and prisoners, are unaware of their rights or the procedures for accessing care. Awareness campaigns remain insufficient, and efforts struggle to reach certain vulnerable populations. Even among healthcare professionals, gaps persist: only 53.33% of those responsible for treatment are aware of the tuberculosis law, which limits its effective implementation.

Stigma, delays and abandonment of treatment

Other shortcomings affect the overall quality of the system: long waiting times in healthcare facilities, failure to adhere to schedules, poorly managed side effects, and, in some cases, stigmatizing attitudes. Fear of social rejection still leads some patients to conceal their illness, sometimes with serious consequences, particularly in their professional lives. These difficulties contribute to treatment discontinuation, reported in 26.67% of cases, often after the first two months.

Specific needs that are still largely overlooked

Certain groups express specific expectations that are insufficiently integrated into health policies. Women, for example, emphasize the need for nutritional support, which is essential for the effectiveness of treatment. In prisons, inmates call for more screening and awareness campaigns. In general, the populations surveyed call for a more inclusive approach, involving communities and local leaders more closely in the fight against the disease.

The quality of care was generally praised.

Despite these numerous shortcomings, the study reveals overall patient satisfaction with healthcare services. Providers are frequently described as available, attentive, and professional. The reception, patient follow-up, and explanations provided about treatments are particularly appreciated. This contrast between quality of care and difficulties in access highlights a committed healthcare system, but one still weakened by socio-economic and organizational constraints. This report thus underscores the urgent need to correct these dysfunctions in order to guarantee more equitable care and sustainably reduce disease transmission in Senegal.