By Ahmed Ahmed
Stakeholders in Bauchi State have expressed concerns regarding the burden of tuberculosis (TB) by calling on the State government to release funds for the control of the menace.
The Stakeholders’ concerns underscore the need for increased funding and strategic interventions, urging the State government to make significant strides towards controlling TB and improving the health and well-being of the citizens.
They made the lamentation at a technical dialogue meeting on TB financing organissed by LANGA Women Development Initiative, held at the NUJ Press Center in Bauchi on Wednesday
Amb. Maikudi Grace, Executive Director of LANGA Women Development Initiative, explained that Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria,
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She stressed the need for the Bauchi State government to allocate necessary funds for TB control efforts.
She also stressed the need for domestic sourcing of funding for tuberculosis rather than depending on foreign donors and international development partners.
The Executive Director added that the Government must seek other sources to fund TB management, considering that the state is one of those with a high number of victims.
Maikudi also emphasized the importance of advocacy for prompt releases of budgetary allocations for TB activities, as well as proper monitoring of the expenditure of the released allocation.
Our Correspondent reports that the Stakeholders, at the meeting include healthcare providers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community and religious leaders, have expressed deep concern about the rising TB cases in Bauchi State.
In the presentation, Dr. Yakubu Gida, Director of Tuberculosis at the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis, and Leprosy (BACATMA) explained that the challenges of TB management include low financial backing from the allocated budgetary provision,
lack of state counterpart funding for TB, low community awareness of the early signs and symptoms of TB, low total TB case finding including childhood TB case finding and notification,
“Low geographical coverage of TB diagnostic and treatment centers, and low private sector participation in the TB Control Program.
According to him, the state government should increase budgetary allocation for TB and ensure prompt release. BA-N should continue demand creation to raise community awareness,
BACATMA should support active, innovative ways of increasing total TB and childhood TB cases, particularly targeting vulnerable groups such as PLHIV, migrant populations, slums, and OVCs.
Mr Ogala Ogala , Program Manager of LANGA opine that to address these concerns and improve TB control efforts, we are calling on the Bauchi State government to release funds for TB Control.
“It is crucial for the Bauchi State government to allocate and release necessary funds dedicated to TB control programs. This funding will support critical activities such as screening, diagnosis, treatment, and public awareness campaigns.
“Investments should be made in enhancing healthcare facilities and training healthcare workers to better manage and treat TB cases.
This will ensure that patients receive the care they need promptly and effectively.
Increasing public awareness about TB, its symptoms, and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment is essential.
“Funding should support educational initiatives to reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek medical help,” he said.
Ogala further said collaboration with NGOs, international health organizations, and other stakeholders is vital for a coordinated approach to TB control.