By mayowa ADENIRAN |
“What we’ve offered to the private sector and captains of industry, to the millionaires and billionaires that are Nigerians, is that if they step up to $25 million, we would work to match them with $25 million between what the Federal Government and development partners would put in, in terms of domestic resources and also mobilising other philanthropic sources to invest.” – Prof Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Federal Republic of Nigeria
“The strategy we are launching today represents a comprehensive and collaborative approach to leveraging the private sector’s resources, expertise, and reach to enhance our TB control efforts.” – Dr Chukwuma Anyaike, Director of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
“The private sector must be comprehensively engaged in the provision of TB and other care to Nigeria. Over the years the consistent cuts in the TB budget will currently stand at 70 per cent.” – Dr Walter Molumbo, Country Representative of the World Health Organisation Nigeria
“We would engage with the private sector as a powerful force that could drive innovation, and expand access to services that would reach the underserved populations most affected by TB.” – Dr Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Acting Board Chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria
The above quotes were emotional appeals made during the launch of the Private Sector Strategy to End Tuberculosis in Nigeria, a recent event held in Lagos and organised by the Stop TB Nigeria Partnership.
Why Engaging The Private Sector To Eliminate Tuberculosis In Nigeria
Nigeria bears a significant burden of Tuberculosis (TB), with an estimated 467,000 cases reported in 2022, making it one of the top 10 high-burden TB countries globally. Despite this, only 61% of cases were diagnosed, treated, and notified, leaving a significant gap in detection and treatment efforts.
The private sector has a crucial role to play in bridging this gap. By engaging in the fight against TB, corporate entities can benefit from decreased absenteeism, improved reputation, and reduced costs associated with rehiring and retaining personnel.
Examples of successful private sector engagement in TB control include a 100% treatment adherence rate and a 98% reduction in hospitalization among employees of an electric company. Similarly, a mining and pharma company reported a significant reduction in new TB cases and sickness absenteeism due to TB.
The private sector can contribute to the fight against TB by improving knowledge and identification of TB patients, providing referral mechanisms, and establishing workplace TB policies. Additionally, they can improve financing of TB services and support the development of a Private Sector Constituency (PSC) to leverage shared resources and capabilities.
The Stop TB Partnership Nigeria is calling on private sector companies to join the fight against TB by filling out a contact form to express their interest. Together, we can make a significant impact in the global fight against TB.
Despite progress made in combating Tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria, the country still bears the highest TB burden in Africa, with an estimated 479,000 TB cases occurring in 2022. To achieve the goal of ending TB in Nigeria, the private sector’s support is crucial.
According to the National TB Program, 30% of TB cases remain undetected, and 52% of Local Government Areas (LGAs) lack molecular diagnostic equipment. Additionally, 71% of TB patients face catastrophic costs, driving the cycle of poverty.
The private sector’s investment in TB control can yield significant returns, including mobilizing domestic resources, providing diagnostic tools and medicines, promoting awareness, and supporting social services for TB patients. Every dollar invested in TB can generate a societal return on investment of up to $43.
Lessons from previous private sector investments in 15 facilities across Nigeria demonstrate the impact of such partnerships, resulting in the detection of 3,492 TB cases and the prevention of 879 TB deaths in 2023.
Beyond TB control, investments in TB also benefit other disease control efforts, as the diagnostic equipment can be used for multiple diseases, including hepatitis, viral load, and COVID-19.
The call to action is clear: Nigeria needs the private sector’s support to end TB. By investing in TB research, developing local capacity, and contributing to the global effort to end the TB epidemic, we can save lives and kick TB out of Nigeria.
The Appeal
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, launched the Private Sector Strategy to End Tuberculosis in Nigeria. The event brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors to commit to a united fight against TB.
Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, Director of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized the significance of the private sector’s involvement in combating TB. “The private sector’s resources, expertise, and reach are crucial in enhancing our TB control efforts. We aim to mobilize resources to improve TB case detection and treatment adherence, ultimately reducing the TB burden in Nigeria.”
The strategy highlights the need for:
- Increased investment in TB control
- Improved access to TB services
- Enhanced public awareness and education
- Strengthened private sector engagement
- Innovative approaches to combat TB
Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, reiterated the government’s commitment to ending TB in Nigeria. “We recognize the devastating impact of TB on individuals, families, and communities. We are dedicated to leveraging the private sector’s support to achieve our goal of a TB-free Nigeria.”
The event featured presentations and a call to action for private-sector organizations to join the fight against TB. Stakeholders are committed to supporting the strategy, acknowledging that ending TB is essential for Nigeria’s overall development and prosperity.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Anyaike urged stakeholders to embrace the strategy and collaborate to end TB in Nigeria. “Let us seize this opportunity to make a lasting impact and ensure a healthier future for all Nigerians.”
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