Ade Olu
The Coordinator, TB Network in Anambra state, Ifeyinwa Unachukwu says despite efforts by the government and non-governmental organization, tuberculosis remains a significant health challenge in the area as many people continue to suffer due to limited access to diagnosis and treatment.
Unachukwu disclosed this in a paper presentation during an interaction with civil society organisations and the media as part of the Fund TB project being implemented under the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
During the presentation entitled, “Current Policy and Budgetary Environment: practical tips on budget analysis for tuberculosis reporting in Anambra State,” Unachukwu noted that the Fund TB project is targeted at improved funding for TB from both public and private sectors, through advocacy.
“We have the National TB Policy Framework, the National Health Act of 2014, the Public Procurement Act, and the National TB and Leprosy Control Program. In Anambra state, there are the state health law, the state health policy, health insurance scheme and the audit law, which had been before the assembly for two years.
“But, there are challenges around enforcement and implementation, insufficient state-level framework, monitoring and accountability. Adequate and sustained funding is crucial to combat TB effectively. Without it, the state’s ability to complement and expand TB interventions will be severely constrained”.
“The Budgetary challenges to TB funding include inadequate allocation, delayed fund disbursement, lack of TB specific earmarked funds, competing health priorities and the dependence on donors who are already getting tired. There is need for sustainable domestic funding as well as improved budget transparency”.
The Program Manager for Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre, Oge Ozoemena, had in a welcome address, remarked that the goal of the Fund TB project is to enhance and sustain domestic investment to bridge the substantial 70% funding gap in Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Imo states.
“We are currently implementing a project under the FUND TB Cluster, with Policy Alert as the anchor, in partnership with Palladium Group. Together, we shall enhance our advocacy efforts, foster greater engagement and ultimately bridge the funding gap to manage TB effectively in Anambra State.
The M&E Focal Person for the State Tuberculosis Control Program, Chiamaka Oguejiofor, explained that tuberculosis is curable while early detection and treatment increase the likelihood of survival.
“We must work to get the missed cases. If immune system is strong, somebody can be infected and remain healthy. But when immune system is down, the signs and symptoms come out.
She listed the symptoms of TB to include: fever, cough of about two weeks or more, shortness or difficulty in breathing, as well as tiredness, chest pain, loss of appetite, night sweat and coughing out blood.
“Our achievements include: setting up of fully furnished TB Situation Room, expansion of microscopic testing to flood prone, hard to reach areas not covered by GeneXpert, introduction of wellness Keke mobile diagnostic approach, and scale up of GeneXpert machines from 9 to 13”.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, Anambra State Chapter, Ugochukwu Okeke, remarked, “my coming here has increased my knowledge about TB. I will ensure that our people at the local government level are mobilised to disseminate the information to the grassroots”.
For Ngozi Maduechesi from the TB Network, “Nothing makes us happier than what is happening here today. We see our partnership with the media a huge boost. This interaction is useful and should be sustained,” she advised.
The Executive Director of Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre, GPSDC, Eucharia Anekwe, was happy with the commitments harvested from various stakeholders from the civic space and the media.
“Thank you so much everyone, I am optimistic that this intervention will succeed in Anambra State especially with the level of cooperation we’ve enjoyed and still hope to enjoy from all government officials we have interacted with on this campaign.
“As we put the past behind us, our hope is to see the state government increase the TB budget line from N50 million to something far higher and more especially to see the money released promptly for programmes and activities which will set our feet on the path of eradicating tuberculosis in our dear state,” Anekwe concluded.