By Iyemah David
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had unveiled the TB Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Advocacy Project, marking a significant milestone in the relentless battle against tuberculosis in the country.
Dr Anyaike Chukwuma, Director of Public Health in the ministry, said this on Tuesday in Abuja, in an event organised by the National Consultations on Public–Private Partnership and post-United Nation High-Level Meeting (UNHLM).
The event is by “Stop TB Partnership Nigeria” in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP).
The UNHLM Political Declaration on TB contains several global targets endorsed by Heads of State, including target to treat 40 million people with TB between 2018 and 2022.
The targets include treating 3.5 million children with TB, 1.5 million people with drug-resistant TB and at least, 30 million put on TB Preventive Treatment.
To make these global targets relevant at the country level to drive country-level and facilitate monitoring and accountability, the Stop TB Partnership has produced country breakdowns for these targets, using the latest WHO data on incidence estimates and country notifications to WHO.
All projections were done using the TIME model implemented by Avenir Health.
For the top high burden countries, wherever possible, a check was done with the country’s National Strategic Plan and the Global Fund performance framework targets.
Dr Chukwuma said that the establishment of the PPP Advocacy Team underscored a deep recognition of the pivotal role that Public-Private Partnerships played in addressing the challenges posed by TB on a global scale.
“This strategic move reflects a collective commitment to fostering collaboration and innovative solutions in the ongoing fight against this formidable public health threat,” he said.
He said that although the previous intervention possibly contributed to the good knowledge about TB and care-seeking attitudes displayed by Nigerians, sustaining active case-finding through PPP can go a long way to reduce the TB burden, especially in rural communities where healthcare systems were generally weak or inadequate.
He said that adequate funding of TB control activities was critical in eliminating TB as a public health problem, adding that private sector participation such as this was a welcome development.
Dr Stella Makpu, PPM Focal Person, NTBLCP, said that the country faced a significant TB burden, and addressing the challenge required innovative approaches and partnerships.
Makpu said that the private sector, including healthcare providers, businesses and civil society organizations, played pivotal roles in expanding access to quality TB services in the country.
On how the country can address extreme drug-resistant tuberculosis, she said that investing in precise diagnostic technologies, researching and developing new drugs and educating the public about TB, early diagnosis, and treatment were important.
She said that there was a need for improved healthcare systems for timely and proper treatment, collaboration globally for shared resources and expertise and implementing support programmes for patient adherence.
Earlier, Mr Mayowa Joel, a representative, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, said that the consultation would facilitate discussion on fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors to enhance access to TB services and resources.
Joel said that the consultation would focus on exploring avenues for sustained advocacy to mobilise domestic resources to end TB in the country.
It will also orientate partners about the project and set up the PPM Advocacy Team, raise awareness among key stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare providers, and private sector entities, about the importance of PPM in TB control.
He said there was a need to build the capacity of team members in PPM advocacy, policy analysis and communication skills.
“This will enable them to advocate for favourable policies, regulations, and incentives to encourage private sector engagement in TB control.
“It will also facilitate collaboration between the public and private sectors, foster partnerships that enhance access to TB services and resources,” he said.
