Health

FG inaugurates Global Fund Grant Cycle-7 on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria

Published

3 months ago

January 23, 2024

The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated Global Fund Grant Cycle-7 on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Resilient and Sustainable System for 2024-2026 implementation periods.

Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Health, said the programme was beneficial to the good people of Nigeria.

The minister said the occasion of another grant implementation cycle was apt as it marked an important period in the efforts of the Federal Government in the fight against the epidemic of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Pate, who is also the Chairman of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), said the grant would also support the building of resilient and sustainable system for health towards pandemic preparedness.

He added that the grant would ensure health security to all citizens, including the most vulnerable population such as women and children less than five years.

According to him, Nigeria is the highest recipient of the Global Fund grant in the 2021 – 2023 implementation periods with over 1.2 billion dollars, including COVID-19 allocation.

Pate said experience from investment in health systems with high emphasis on laboratory systems strengthening for surveillance, diagnostics and quality assurance/quality control informed the implementation design of 2024- 2026 implementation period.

He explained that at the end of 2023, more than 87 million nets had been distributed across Nigeria over the last five years with the Global Fund’s support.

“The Government of Nigeria, PEPFAR, The Global Fund and other partners’ efforts have significantly increased the number of people diagnosed with HIV and placed on antiretroviral therapy.

“Over the years, the efforts by the governments and partners have enabled some successes in HIV/AID, Tuberculosis and Malaria responses in Nigeria.

“In December 2022, The CCM Nigeria received the allocation for 2023-2025,’’he said.

Pate said throughout 2023, the instrumentality of stakeholders’ engagement was deployed to develop a robust Funding Request that was considered technically sound by the Global Fund Technical Review Panel (TRP).

He added that the TRP also recommended that the CCM-Nigeria should proceed with grant making.

“At the end of the entire processes, we have eight grants signed with the Global Fund and the nominated Principal Recipient (PR).

“The PRs grant portfolio and amount respectively are National Agency for the Control of AIDS- HIV/AIDS 10,663,394:00 dollars, National AIDS and STDs Control Programme (NASCP)-FMOH HIV/AIDS 30,038,555:00 dollars.

“National Tuberculosis, Leprosy; Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP)-FMOH Tuberculosis 122,390,772:00 dollars, Institute for Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) HIV/TB (C-Grant) 340,095,438:00 dollars, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP)-FMOH Malaria 80,877,025:00 dollars.

“Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Malaria 315, 933,900:00 dollars, National Tuberculosis, Leprosy; Buruli Ulcer Control Programme- FMOH RSSH 42,557,406:00 dollars, Lagos State Ministry of Health RSSH 4,100,440:00 dollars

The minister said this amounted to a total of 933,156,931dollars.

Pate also urged the state to take leadership and ownership of this process to ensure sustainability.

“This means ensuring that both state and local government areas commit resources not only for the three diseases currently receiving support from The Global Fund but also for other interventions in the state.

“I appeal to our media and religious leaders to assist in encouraging people in our communities to access the care at the designated facilities (Public and Private),’’ he said.

In his remark, Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said the Global Fund was created to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).

Akume represented by Dr Maurice Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary (General Services Office) SGF, said this was first conceived in Nigeria during the World Malaria Summit in Abuja in 2000, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

He said the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health, catalysed the creation of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Nigeria in March 2002, as the only recognised entity that could access the Global Fund grants on behalf of Nigeria.

“Through this partnership, the Government of Nigeria has demonstrated commitment, ownership and put in use the resources allocated to the country by the Global Fund to support the fighting against the scourge of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

“This is with conscious efforts towards building a Resilient and Sustainable System for Health (RSSH).

“The government’s political will has been demonstrated and in this current implementation period, 2024 – 2026 the expected co-financing for the three diseases and health in general will be provided.

“I am elated that the CCM has put in place a good governance structure that is participatory and representative across the different sectors with effective oversight mechanism that will oversee the implementation of the Grant Cycle 7.

“To ensure full compliance with the grant confirmation agreement,”Akume said.

Also, Ms. Kachallom Daju, Permanent Secretary of Health, appreciated the Global Fund for the continued support to Nigeria.

“It’s on record that HIV, TB and Malaria allocation for Nigeria has been adjusted upwards to better account for the burden and needs of key and vulnerable populations.

“The increased allocation also aims to address the critical service coverage gaps among pregnant women, children, key populations and adolescent, gaps in finding TB missing cases in children and in the private sector.

“The Global Fund endowment is supporting evidence-based programmes that should also make use of available evidence to improve the public-sector/private-sector approach, and the performance-based funding.

The country’s concerted efforts of stakeholders of diverse constituencies would be activated towards yielding positive results during the implementation.

“The current Global Fund GC-7 grants for 2024-2026, totaling 933 million dollars, for which we are gathering here today, would support interventions in 13 priority states in Nigeria for malaria.

“Four comprehensive states for HIV/AIDS and all the 36 states plus FCT will benefit from Tuberculosis’s grant.

“It will also support health system strengthening in all 36 states plus FCT and will support 5 states with health insurance for vulnerable group,” she said.

On his part, Hon. Godwin Ogah, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control (ATM), said that a healthy nation should also be a wealthy nation as the saying goes.

“Therefore, in the area of funding we must put our money where our health is involved and with the launch of next cycle of funding, with implementation period of Jan. 1, 2024 to December 2026 today.

“I am convinced that there is a greater will by Government and key stakeholders to provide the willingness and commitment to ensure community systems and their structures are strengthened, resourced and empowered,” he said.

He said consequently, the country would in no doubt attain all targets that had been established in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria by the year 2030.

“As representatives of Government and the people, I believe it is unacceptable that a greater percentage of funding for our fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria come from foreign partners.

“We must consciously and systematically bridge this funding gap to at least 50 per cent.

“We in the parliament will continue to provide the constitutional approvals for the allocation of resources towards our health needs.

“We will also collaborate with relevant stakeholders and foreign partners and donor agencies alike to ensure we attain mutual targets,” he said.

Mr Ayo Ipinmoye, First vice Chair of Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), explained that CCM Nigeria’s core mandates were to identify strategic HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria (ATM) programmes for Nigeria.

According to him, it is also to develop and submit proposals to the Global Fund for funding and to provide guidance and support to implementation of the grant for impact, such as selection of Principal Resilient (PR).

“Provide technical and managerial oversight to utilisation of the funds. Mobilise domestic resources to complement Global Fund investments in Nigeria and Information dissemination through member constituencies,” he said.

Related Topics:Ali Pate FG HIV/AIDS Malaria tuberculosis

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Health

Assembly passes Kano Pre-Marital Health Screening Bill

Published

2 days ago

April 29, 2024

NewsDirect

Kano State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law to compel intending couples to undergo HIV, hepatitis and sickle cell anaemia screening before marriage.

The passage followed deliberations in the Committee of the Whole House during plenary session,
presided over by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore on Monday in Kano.

After deliberations, the lawmakers approved the 3rd reading of the bill, read by the Deputy Clerk, Alhaji Nasiru Magaji.

Shortly after passage of the bill, the Majority Leader of the house, Lawan Hussein (NNPP-Dala), stated that “any person
intending to marry shall first submit self for medical examinations.”

He said the bill was considered and passed after the 3rd reading, following various legislative processes.

The leader further said that the bill was passed because the state had been battling with different health issues, including
HIV because people go into marriages without medical screening.

He said that the bill, if signed into law, would save many lives and curb the spread of life-threatening diseases.

“The bill will safeguard the health of citizens by institutionalising pre-marital testing to check the spread of diseases
like hepatitis, HIV and sickle cell anaemia,” he added.

Health

WHO to begin vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus May 27 in Kogi

Published

1 week ago

April 24, 2024

NewsDirect

The World Health Organisation (WHO), says it plans to commence vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) on May 27 in Kogi.

The state’s Team Lead of WHO, Dr Muktar Toyosi, said this when he led his team on an advocacy visit to the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Wednesday in Lokoja.

Toyosi said that the vaccination was meant for girl child of between the age nine and 14.

He said the ongoing sensitisation was to keep the people informed, and educate them on the vaccination of their children to protect them against cervical cancer in future.

”Kogi falls within the second phase of the programme. We are soliciting for the cooperation of the media in educating the people of the state on the HPV vaccination.

“There need for girls child across the state to take the vaccination to safeguard their future.

“Although the vaccine was initially scarce and difficult to get, the good news now is that it has been made available by the government,” Toyosi said.

Also speaking, the State Technical Assistant for WHO, Dr Ahmed Attah, said that the HPV mostly affect women, adding that the vaccination remained a preventive measure against the disease.

Attah, a former state Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and a former Chief Medical Director (CMD), Kogi Specialist Hospital (KSSH) Lokoja, urged parents and guardians to avail their children of the vaccination to justify government’s investment.

In his response, the Kogi NUJ Chairman, Mr Seidu Ademu, described the health sector as very critical, stressing that the vaccination was a right step in the right direction.

Ademu promised a robust partnership with WHO to enable the team to achieve its set goals.
He stressed the need to inform, educate and sensitise the general public on the need to embrace the vaccine by ensuring that girls within the age range were vaccinated.

Health

NCDs will be leading cause of mortality in Africa by 2030 – WHO

Published

1 week ago

April 24, 2024

NewsDirect

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) will become the leading cause of mortality in Africa by 2030 if urgent measures are not executed by member states.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, joining virtually, made the assertion on Tuesday at the opening of the first International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA 2024) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The ICPPA 2024, holding from April 23 to April 25, is aimed at addressing severe NCDs in Africa.

It is being hosted by the WHO Regional Office for Africa, Helmsley Charitable Trust, and the United Republic of Tanzania. Moeti urged member states to embrace strategies that would help to address the issue.

“We are faced with non-communicable diseases and data from low and middle income countries show that 26 per cent of total health spending was due to NCDs, second only to infectious and parasitic diseases.

“Meaning it is urgent to give these often overlooked diseases priority attention as Africa is severely affected and more than in any other place in the world.

“The surge in the burden of NCDs on our continent over the past two decades, is driven by increasing incidences of risk factors, such as unhealthy diets, reduced physical activity, obesity, and air pollution.

“NCDs are set to overtake communicable, maternal, neonatal and nutritional diseases combined as a leading cause of mortality in Africa by 2030.

“And here, the NCDs are called silent epidemics. Unfortunately, this rapid devolution, with a higher mortality rate has not been recognised in the region, because we’re not investing adequately in detecting and lowering the burden of these diseases,” Moeti said.

Moeti noted that severe NCDs like type one diabetes, rheumatic heart disease, and sickle cell disease more frequently affect children and young adults in the majority of Africans population.

She advised that Africa must show increased commitment in addressing NCDs with adequate and sustained resources.

She also said there was the need to strengthen accountability and assess the impact of interventions by enhancing surveillance and monitoring.

According to Moeti, this can be achieved using reliable and timely data at national and sub national levels to drive policy and action as we move forward.

Ms Elke Wisch, UNICEF Representative to Republic of Tanzania, said that collaboration was at the heart of collective response to tackling NCDs.

“Today’s gathering underscores the urgency and importance of addressing NCDs comprehensively and collaboratively.

“The WHO package of essential non communicable interventions for PEN, for primary healthcare and low resources settings, and the recently launched regional strategy on PEN-Plus provides a strategic framework for tackling NCDs at their roots,” she said.

Also speaking, Ummy Mwalimu, Minister of Health, Tanzania, said that non communicable diseases NCDs, have become a formidable threat to the health and wellbeing of “our people.”

She urged for collective efforts to address these threats.

“They are silently affecting the lives of our citizens, our communities, undermining the progress we strive to achieve as a nation.

“The impact of these diseases extends beyond individual suffering.

“It affects our communities, our economy, and ultimately the future of our nations in our continent.

“Yet, in the face of these challenges, we are not discouraged together. We have chosen to confront these non-communicable diseases.’’

She urged for lifestyle change as positive way to combatting the negative outcomes of NCDs.

James Reid, Programme Officer for the Helmsley Charitable Trust’s Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Programme, said he was happy at the level of interest and momentum in engagements to address NCDs, especially Type 2 diabetes.

He, however, identified finance as one of the biggest challenge and hindrance. He said that while political leaders and stakeholders identify the challenges that NCDs pose, the strategies to prevent them, especially NCD care, were limited.

“Leadership for driving of PEN-Plus is very important to make sure that ministry of health leaders and all others involved, really understand how to change the dynamics as well as adopt solutions to suit specific localities,” she said.

WHO’s PEN-Plus (Package of Essential NCD-Plus), is a regional integrated care delivery strategy to address severe non-communicable diseases at first-level referral health facilities.

At the 2022 WHO Regional Committee Meeting for the African Region, the 47 Member States of the AFRO region voted to adopt the PEN-Plus strategy.

It is focused on alleviating the burden among the poorest children and young adults. This is by increasing the accessibility and quality of chronic care services for severe NCDs including Type 1 diabetes, rheumatic heart disease, and sickle cell disease.

ICPPA 2024 provides opportunity to shore up international support for scaling up PEN-Plus in the African Region. Also, the conference serves as a platform to raise awareness of severe NCDs, share lessons from countries implementing PEN-Plus and identify opportunities to strengthen NCD management.