The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has accepted a contribution from a leading Nigerian philanthropic organisation, Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), to partner on tuberculosis (TB) control and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention efforts in Nigeria.
ASR Africa will provide critical inputs, valued at $500,000, to the national TB and GBV responses.
A statement signed by the US Mission in Nigeria last Thursday, said “These contributions will expand the impact of USAID’s current programs, implemented through local Nigerian organisations.
“Specifically, ASR Africa’s contribution will provide: 11 loop-mediated isothermal amplification diagnostic machines, also known as TB-LAMPs, with laboratory reagents and consumables; renovation of 10 Tuberculosis Directly Observed Therapy or DOT centres; and approximately 1,200 dignity kits for survivors of gender-based violence across selected states in Nigeria.
“The TB-LAMP diagnostic machines will enable 11 facilities to effectively diagnose TB, which continues to be a challenge in under-resourced health facilities.
“All individuals diagnosed with these machines will be placed on treatment for TB at the TB DOT centres that will be renovated by ASR Africa.
“The contribution of dignity kits will also strengthen services for survivors of gender-based violence, including medical and psycho-social services, at Sexual Assault Rescue Centres, also known as SARCs, that are supported through USAID’s President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programme”, the statement said.
As part of USAID’s efforts to deepen private sector involvement in Nigeria, the agency engages with private sector partners in the country to mobilise resources to reduce disease burden and ensure a better quality of life for those affected.
“The private sector holds immense potential to bring about sustainable development results,” HIV/AIDS and TB Office Director USAID/Nigeria, Rachel Goldstein, said at the gift acceptance meeting in Abuja.
“Each of ASR Africa’s contributions will amplify the impact of USAID’s development programming in Nigeria while demonstrating the opportunity for public-private partnerships to effectively address unmet development needs.”
Presenting the donation letter, Managing Director of ASR Africa, Ubon Udoh, said “ASR Africa is committed to the development of Nigeria’s healthcare sector. The end-to-end diagnosis to treatment partnership with USAID will provide additional capacity and expand ongoing efforts aimed at tackling tuberculosis and HIV across Nigeria.”
USAID has partnered with the government of Nigeria on the tuberculosis response since 2000, and the HIV response since 2003.
Through these efforts, USAID has contributed to a reduction in tuberculosis related deaths, by nearly 50percent.
Through PEPFAR, USAID is now providing comprehensive life–saving HIV treatment services for over 663,000 people and procuring and delivering medicines for over 1.9million Nigerians on antiretroviral treatment.
Similarly, the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) have hosted federal and state ministries of health, Government of Nigeria health agency leadership, and HIV programme implementing partners to review President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programme accomplishments from the last five years in US CDC-supported states and chart a way forward for the coming five years to help Nigeria reach and sustain epidemic control.
In her welcome remarks, US CDC Country Director, Dr. Mary Boyd, commended states and partners for their collaborative work in attaining quality care for every patient while also accelerating treatment coverage in the country.
The surge in the number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) identified and beginning treatment in recent years has moved Nigeria closer to HIV epidemic control than ever before.
As of June 2022, US CDC supported comprehensive HIV services for about 1.2million PLHIV in Abia, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Gombe, and the Federal Capital Territory.
US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, also spoke, emphasising the U.S. Government’s commitment to supporting partners, and expressing her belief that epidemic control would be achieved in Nigeria.
Day one of the two-day programme included overview presentations from implementing partners Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria, the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, APIN Public Health Initiatives, and the Centre for Integrated Health Programmes.
Day two brought discussion of a roadmap for future activities that will create dynamic, equitable, and resilient treatment programs.
Integration of the National Clinical Mentorship Programme into the health sector for sustainability and state ownership was also highlighted.
Across both days, awards were presented to individuals, states, and partners who excelled in specific areas of programming and leadership.
Throughout the newly launched program cycle, US CDC will continue to host programmatic review meetings with partners to ensure that high-quality HIV programs are sustained and that free, life-saving care is available to every Nigerian who needs it.
US CDC Nigeria is the country office of the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, with a vision of public health excellence for healthy Nigerians.
The office supports the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health, its department, agencies, state ministries of health, and several key partners in developing, implementing, and evaluating disease response efforts and programs that contribute to strengthened public health infrastructure in Nigeria.