United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) have collaborated to rehabilitate and equip 10 Tuberculosis (TB) facilities across Nigeria to check the nation’s hourly 11 deaths from the disease.
The American nation placed the most populous black nation among the top 10 countries with the highest number of undetected cases globally.
In a statement yesterday, USAID said Nigeria, ranking first in Africa and sixth worldwide, accounts for 4.6 per cent of the global TB burden.
It noted: “The country (Nigeria) witnesses approximately 11 deaths every hour due to TB, amounting to nearly 264 deaths daily, over 8,160 monthly, and reaching 98,000 yearly.”
The renovated amenities in Lagos, Anambra, Oyo, Rivers, Kano, Bauchi and Katsina states are to deliver life-saving services.
The statement continued: “In 2022, USAID addressed Nigeria’s needs in TB care by accepting a $500,000 contribution from ASR Africa, focusing on TB control and gender-based violence. This contribution aligns with USAID’s broader $78 million, five-year TB Local Organisation Network Activity, aimed at detecting, treating and reporting TB cases.”
“Utilising ASR Africa’s funds, USAID provided 11 TB Lamp diagnostic machines, along with laboratory supplies. ASR Africa renovated 10 Tuberculosis Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) centres and distributed over 2,000 dignity kits to gender-based violence (GBV) survivors across seven selected Nigerian states, including Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Lagos, Oyo, Rivers and Anambra.”
During a handover ceremony at the newly renovated Akinyele Primary Health Centre in Alimosho, Lagos, USAID/Nigeria Deputy Director HIV/AIDS and TB Office, Omosalewa Oyelaran, emphasised the role of the private sector in catalysing sustainable results.
She said: “This partnership demonstrates how the private sector holds immense potential to catalyse sustainable results. USAID actively engages with private sector partners in Nigeria in the drive towards mobilising resources to counter diseases of public concern such as TB, and to improve quality of life among affected populations.”
ASR Managing Director/CEO, Dr Ubon Udoh, lauded USAID for its intervention and partnership, highlighting the successful implementation of TB machines and commitment of ASR Africa’s chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, in divesting resources to address Africa’s critical developmental issues.
Source: Guardian