Abuja, Nigeria – The Acting Board Chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, has urged the National Assembly to prioritize budget allocations to tackle Tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria, particularly in light of declining donor support for critical interventions.
Speaking at the re-launch of the Nigeria Parliamentary TB Caucus at the National Assembly, Dr. Ogbuji-Ladipo highlighted Nigeria’s alarming TB burden, ranking as the highest in Africa and sixth globally. She emphasized that every seven minutes, a Nigerian loses their life to TB—a preventable and curable disease—underscoring the urgency for immediate action.
Key Calls to Action
Dr. Ogbuji-Ladipo called on lawmakers to:
- Increase domestic funding for TB programs to bridge critical gaps.
- Integrate TB services into broader healthcare policies.
- Enact legislation to protect vulnerable populations and support TB research, diagnosis, and treatment.
She commended Stop TB Partnership Nigeria’s achievements, including:
- Securing increased domestic funding, with states like Kebbi and Lagos making significant financial commitments.
- Raising $50 million in matched funding through private-sector partnerships to expand access to diagnostics and treatment.
- Deploying modern diagnostic tools to underserved communities for faster TB detection.
- Collaborating with Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Global Stop TB Champion), and wives of state governors to enhance political will and grassroots awareness.
Despite progress, funding shortfalls, policy gaps, and low public awareness persist, necessitating stronger legislative intervention.
Lawmakers Pledge Stronger TB Response
Rt. Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Malaria Control, assured that the National Assembly would take decisive action, including:
- Pushing for increased TB funding and stronger oversight.
- Advocating for laws to protect TB patients from stigma and discrimination.
- Mobilizing parliamentarians to join the TB Caucus and champion policies for detection, treatment, and prevention.
He warned that 70% of Global Fund-supported countries face TB budget shortfalls, with a projected $600 million deficit in 2025. Nigeria must increase domestic health financing, especially as it has yet to meet the Abuja Declaration target of 15% health budget allocation.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas Commits to Legislative Reforms
Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to:
- Increasing health funding, including TB interventions.
- Amending the National Health Act to raise the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from 1% to 2% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
- Expanding primary healthcare access in rural areas.
- Supporting research into TB treatment and vaccine development.
He urged lawmakers to actively engage in the Parliamentary TB Caucus, ensuring Nigeria meets the UN’s 2030 target to end TB.
A Renewed Commitment to #EndTB
With the theme “Yes! We Can End TB. We Fit Do Am!”, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria and the National Assembly are aligning efforts to:
✅ Commit – Strengthen political and financial dedication.
✅ Invest – Mobilize domestic resources for sustainable TB programs.
✅ Deliver – Ensure effective implementation of policies and treatments.
Join the movement. Together, we can end TB in Nigeria!
For more information, visit [Stop TB Partnership Nigeria’s website].
Stop TB Partnership Nigeria is a leading advocate in the fight against tuberculosis, working with government, private sector, and community stakeholders to eliminate TB by 2030.