Stakeholders Agree on Government improved funding, Private Sector Investment Towards TB interventions in Akwa Ibom State
By Ekemini Simon
Stakeholders drawn from both the public and private sector in Akwa Ibom State have agreed to invest more funds in tuberculosis interventions in Akwa Ibom State.
The stakeholders made their position known at a stakeholders’ roundtable discussion on unlocking funding for TB interventions in Akwa Ibom State held by the Fund TB Cluster in Uyo on Wednesday.
The Fund TB Cluster comprises of Policy Alert, Gender Perspective and Social Development Center (GPSDC), Center for Healthworks, Development and Research Initiative (CHEDRES), Concern for Women and Youth Empowerment (COWOYEM), and Initiative for the Prevention and Control of Diseases (IPCD) and is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Palladium Group.
Earlier in his remarks, Ubong Ekpo from the State Ministry of Health commended the Fund TB Cluster for the consciousness raised on the menace of TB in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State.
He assured that in the 2025 budget, the State ministry of health will make an effort towards having a budget line item for TB which will invariably improve its funding.
In their respective remarks, Mr. Udoma Akpan of the State Ministry of Economic Development and Mrs.Ekemini Effiong, Deputy Director State Budget Office assured that the need for a TB budget line item will be communicated to relevant authorities and given priority when the Ministry of Health includes it at the level of its proposed budget.
Also, in their respective remarks, representatives of private organizations assured that with the insight they have gotten during the roundtable discussion over the prevalence of TB, they will return to their various offices and see how to influence management on the need to incorporate TB Funding in their Corporate Social Responsibility.
Earlier in his presentation, the Operations Manager of Policy Alert, the anchor organisation of Fund TB Cluster, Mr. Ebong Ekanem said that the over- dependence on donor agencies for the Funding of TB in Nigeria was not sustainable and will not help end TB despite being curable and preventable.
He said the urgent funding needed for TB in Akwa Ibom State was the provision of two wards for Drug Resistant TB at the University of Uyo Teaching hospital as the one available can only take one particular gender at a time thus depriving the other gender of medical attention when need arises.
He said there is a need for the diagnostic and treatment equipment coupled with the renovation of TB DOT centres across the State.
Ebong pointed out that when the Government of Akwa Ibom State provides budget line items for TB in the State, funds the budget items and extends coverage to TB patients in health insurance scheme, there is a strong likelihood that the prevalence of TB in Akwa Ibom State will be reduced.
While calling on the private sector not to allow everything in the hands of the government, he asked private organisations to include TB in their brand reinforcement strategies and corporate social responsibilities.
He recommended that private organisations can donate equipment, renovate or build TB facilities, provide needed nutritional support to TB patients, and donate medications to health facilities to improve current TB intervention efforts.
Highpoint of the stakeholders’ roundtable was the inauguration of Akwa Ibom State Technical Working Group On Fund TB.
Members include Dr.Emeka Ezeike of ECEWS, Mr. Ebong Ekanem of Policy Alert, Mr.Udoma Akpan representative of Economic Development, Mr.Ubong Ekpo representing TB Manager, Dr.Bassey of the State Ministry Of Health, Dr. Hanson- a representative of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health Matters and Mr. Samuel Williams of XL FM.