The Federal Government has allocated N700 billion to strengthen the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and immunisation, following the withdrawal of U.S. financial aid.
Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, disclosed this at a pre-World TB Day press conference in Abuja on Tuesday. Themed *“Yes, We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver,”* the event underscored the need for increased investment in TB control.
Hon. Ogah described the N700 billion allocation as a “game-changer” in tackling TB and other infectious diseases, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising healthcare funding. He emphasised that the U.S. aid cut should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria to take full responsibility for its healthcare system and ensure the efficient use of intervention funds.
Tuberculosis remains a leading cause of death in Nigeria and globally, with an estimated 4,100 people dying from the disease daily worldwide, and 27,000 new infections recorded each day. Despite being both preventable and curable, TB continues to pose a significant public health threat, particularly in low-income countries.
Hon. Ogah stressed the urgent need to scale up TB services in Nigeria, including early diagnosis, treatment, case management, and contact tracing. He also highlighted the importance of preventive therapy for individuals exposed to TB, especially those with latent infections.
Additionally, he called for stronger community engagement to combat stigma and improve TB awareness, particularly in vulnerable populations. *“We must ensure that our healthcare workers are well-trained and that screening initiatives reach high-risk communities,”* he said.
He reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to supporting TB eradication efforts, noting that the House of Representatives had previously moved a motion to increase domestic funding for TB treatment and establish private-sector TB treatment hospitals similar to those for HIV and malaria.
Hon. Ogah also urged the Federal Government to lobby the Global Fund to raise Nigeria’s TB funding allocation from 18 percent to 30 percent. He further revealed that the committee is working on a law to protect TB patients from discrimination and stigma.
Reflecting on the U.S. aid withdrawal, he described it as an opportunity for Nigeria and Africa to take control of their healthcare systems.
World TB Day, observed annually on March 24, aims to raise awareness about the devastating health, social, and economic impact of tuberculosis and encourage global action toward its eradication.
Meanwhile, the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria has called for stronger political will, increased domestic funding, and sustained collaboration to eliminate TB.
Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Acting Board Chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, described TB as a severe public health challenge that continues to claim thousands of lives in Nigeria. She stressed the need for Nigeria to prioritise domestic resource mobilisation for TB in light of declining international donor support.
“Now more than ever, we must intensify our advocacy. Let us push for stronger policies, more domestic resources, and improved TB detection and treatment services,” she urged.
