Reps Pledge Increased Funding For TB Control

The House of Representatives has pledged to increase funding for tuberculosis control in the country.

Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Malaria Control, Amobi Ogah
stated this in Abuja at the Re-Launch of the Nigeria Parliamentary TB Caucus at the National Assembly.

Ogah highlighted that nearly 70% of Global Fund supported countries face budget shortfalls for TB response, with Nigeria needing to increase domestic resource mobilization.

He also emphasized the need for legislative actions to combat TB, including enacting laws to protect patients’ rights and pushing for increased funding.

The Lawmaker praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment of over ₦700 billion to Nigeria’s health system, including TB interventions, and commended First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s ₦1 billion donation to TB eradication efforts.

In his address
the Speaker, Dr Abbas Tajudeen, reaffirmed the House’s commitment to prioritizing health reforms, noting increased national health budget allocations and proposed amendments to the National Health Act to strengthen TB treatment and healthcare infrastructure.

Dr Abbas emphasized the urgent need for stronger awareness campaigns, improved healthcare infrastructure, and legislative measures to bridge the treatment gap.

“TB Burden in Nigeria
Nigeria remains the seventh-highest TB-burdened country globally, with 361,000 new cases recorded in 2023, a 26% increase from the previous year.

Dr Abbass urged lawmakers to actively participate in the TB Parliamentary Caucus, assuring that the House would provide full legislative backing to ensure Nigeria meets its 2030 target to end TB, as outlined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Blessing Nyor