Follow Us on Google
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, a multi-stakeholder partnership dedicated to the fight against Tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria has amplified the campaign for private sector partnership through the platform of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the fight against TB in Nigeria.
The organization said it’s taking advantage of huge patronage of private health facilities to intensify its advocacy, case finding, contact tracing, and other efforts that would improve the fate of TB patients in Nigeria.
The organization said it’s concerned that there are several unidentified TB cases in Nigeria that are “helping” to spread the disease to low immunity people around them, hence the partnership with private health care providers to ensure an urgent cut in the chain of transmission.
Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, the Acting Board Chairman, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, told participants at the National stakeholders’ consultation on PPP to end TB in Nigeria held in Abuja, on Wednesday, that though, records indicated positivities, but there was need to intensify advocacy and case finding of people who are still infected with the disease for urgent inclusion in treatment plan.
She said: “TB is curable and the drugs are available and easily accessible. So, there’s no need for people hiding themselves from being identified. Rather, there should be encouragement from family and friends to such persons to present themselves for care and treatment. That would go a long way in helping them come out of the disease and trauma.
Mayowa Joel, Executive Secretary, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, in a presentation, explained that the objective of the stakeholders’ consultation meeting was to orientate partners about the project and set up the PPP advocacy team; raise awareness among key stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare providers, and private sector entities, about the importance of PPP in TB control.
He also added that the aim was to build the capacity of team members in PPM advocacy, policy analysis, and communication skills; and to advocate for favourable policies, regulations, and incentives to encourage private sector engagement in TB control; and to facilitate collaboration between the public and private sectors, fostering partnerships that enhance access to TB services and resources.
Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, Director of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health, in his remarks, encouraged the Stop TB Partnership to go beyond TB and identify several other non-communicable diseases that increase the risk of TB in human health.
“There are inter-links in these things. Private sector is very important in the fight against TB. This is because over 60 per cent of Nigerians visit private health facilities for medical attention first, before going to the hospital for further checks.
“So, multi-sectoral approach and integration of programmes is the best way of tackling the challenge. It’s documented that people that have diabetes stand high chance of getting TB. Malnutrition, exposure to tobacco are also risk factors that can trigger TB. So, all these increase the chances of contracting TB. So, there’s need for collaborative effort to tackle TB.
He said the federal ministry of health was working on getting a very good diagnostic platform that can easily detect latent TB especially for those being sentenced to Correctional Centre (Prisons).
He discouraged discrimination and stigma of people that are infected with TB, insisting that TB is curable within the shortest period of time if the proper medical attention is provided. “We have noticed that those are cured of TB still face discrimination and stigma from the people around them.”
“However, the hallmark of TB treatment is early detection and treatment. If you waste time in doing that, the situation will deteriorate. One unattended case has the potential and capacity to infect, at least, 15 persons in a year.
Ijeoma Nwankwo of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Foundation (PSNF), stressed the importance of the partnership to ensure the break of chain of transmission of TB at community level.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the PSNF to mobilise the support of its members, particularly the Community Pharmacists, to the cause of case finding, advocacy, and treatment of TB patients.
