FMOH lauds U.S., group on efforts to end TB in Nigeria
By Vivian Ihechu
The Director of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Dr Chukwuma Anyaike, has commended the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for their support in the fight against Tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria.
Anyaike also commended the Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR) Africa Initiative for their various support and initiatives towards ending TB in the country.
He spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on the sidelines of the official Handover Ceremony of Akinyele PHC Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) Centre, in Alimosho, Lagos State, on Tuesday.
“I want to specially appreciate United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR) Africa Initiative for making this event a reality and for all their support.
“The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) has enjoyed uninterrupted support from the USAID in the last 21 years.
“The USAID support to the TB control programme commenced in 2002 during which USG supported the expansion of TB services to the 17 states that hitherto had no TB services at that time, this led to the scale up of TB services to all the LGAs in the country.
“The current USAID support through LON1, 2 &3 Projects implemented by KNCV, IHVN and other support implemented through BA, TB DIAH, Stop TB partnership and WHO in addition to the support provided by Global Funds has significantly improved the TB case notification
“And the performance of the TB programme in the last four years with the TB notification in Nigeria being branded and celebrated globally as a good example to other countries,’’ he said.
According to Anyaike, the vision of the ministry is for Nigeria to be free of TB, with the goal to End TB epidemic in the country by 2030.
“Thus, we need to reduce the TB incidence rate from the current 219/100,000 population to less than 20/100,000 population.
“And reduce the number of TB patients affected by catastrophic cost from 71 per cent to 0 per cent by 2030.
“We cannot achieve this without the engagement of private sector, other MDAs and the communities.’’
He assured that the NTBLCP would in the next few years massively scale up TB services to all facilities and communities in the country by enhancing active TB case detection and treatment activities.
“This will be archived through innovation, provision of patient centered services driven by technology and strong multi-sectoral collaboration.
“Our commitment towards providing excellent, high quality and innovative driven services is in line with the core values of the ASR Africa Initiative.
“The FMOH in 2024 will establish a high level multisectoral platform to End TB in Nigeria and we expect Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative to be in the forefront,” he said.
He encouraged citizens to know that TB is curable and the diagnosis is free, and that anyone coughing for more than two weeks should go the nearest facilities for TB test.
“TB anywhere is TB everywhere; we all will only be free from the risk of getting TB if we are able to end TB epidemic in Nigeria. Join us in the fight to end TB in Nigeria,” he said.
Earlier, the USAID/Nigeria Deputy Director HIV/AIDS and TB Office, Omosalewa Oyelaran, said the USAID had been partnering the Government of Nigeria in the national Tuberculosis response since 2003.
According to her, this is by funding interventions that galvanise the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of Nigerians with TB symptoms.
“USAID is proud that this partnership has contributed to a nearly 50 per cent reduction in tuberculosis related deaths.
“ The Nigerian TB programme has made huge strides towards achieving its UN High Level targets.
“Specifically of note is the tripling of TB treatment coverage in the past four years—from 19 per cent in 2019 to 60 per cent in 2022.
“USAID is working to support improved case finding strategies, scale up of new diagnostic tools, social and behaviour change, and improved quality of care.
“But the need exceeds resources available from USAID and the Government of Nigeria,’’ Oyelaran noted.
NAN reports that Nigeria faces a significant health challenge with a triple burden of TB, drug resistant TB, and HIV-associated TB.
This places it among the top 10 countries globally with the highest number of undetected TB cases.
Ranking first in Africa and sixth worldwide, Nigeria accounts for 4.6 per cent of the global TB burden. The country witnesses approximately 11 deaths every hour due to TB, amounting to nearly 264 deaths daily, over 8,160 monthly, and reaching 98,000 annually.
In 2022, USAID addressed Nigeria’s needs in TB care by accepting a $500,000 contribution from the ASR Africa, focusing on TB control and gender-based violence.
This contribution aligns with USAID’s broader $78 million, five-year TB Local Organisation Network Activity, aimed at detecting, treating, and reporting TB cases.
Utilising ASR Africa’s funds, USAID provided 11 TB lamp diagnostic machines, along with laboratory supplies. ASR Africa renovated 10 Tuberculosis Directly Observed Therapy centres; and distributed over 2,000 dignity kits to gender-based violence survivors across seven selected Nigerian states, including Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, and Anambra.
The TB-LAMP diagnostic machines have enabled facilities to effectively diagnose TB and all individuals diagnosed with these machines have been placed on treatment for TB at the TB DOT centres renovated by ASR Africa. (NAN)www.nannews.ng
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
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