The Nigerian House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts in combating tuberculosis (TB) and to translate global commitments into actionable steps aimed at eradicating the disease by 2030.
This was the subject of a motion on urgent public importance moved by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah and supported by several lawmakers, including Hon. Abubakar Baba Zango, Hon. Billy Osawaru, and Hon. Princess Chinwe Onuoha, among others.
In presenting the motion, Hon. Ogah highlighted the alarming statistics that make TB a critical public health issue. Despite being preventable and curable, TB remains the leading infectious disease killer globally, surpassing HIV/AIDS and malaria. Nigeria ranks first in Africa and sixth worldwide, contributing 4.6% of the global TB burden.
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The lawmakers expressed concerns over significant gaps in TB diagnosis and treatment, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children. They noted that nearly a third of TB cases remain undiagnosed annually, with only a fraction of multidrug-resistant TB cases being identified and reported. Funding was identified as a major obstacle, with the Global Fund’s allocation for TB significantly lagging behind those for HIV and malaria.
The motion also raised alarm over projected funding deficits in countries supported by the Global Fund, with 10 nations, including Nigeria, facing a combined shortfall of $600 million by 2025. This funding gap threatens to derail global efforts to combat TB.
Resolutions
In response, the House resolved to:
- Urge the Federal Government to establish a private-sector-driven Trust Fund to mobilize resources for TB response.
- Ensure the availability of TB treatment services and diagnostic equipment in all 774 local government areas across the country.
- Advocate through the Global Fund’s Country Coordinating Mechanism for an increase in the Global Disease Split allocation for TB from 18% to 35%.
- Increase local funding for TB to meet international commitments for its eradication by 2030.
- Mandate the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Malaria Control to draft a bill addressing the rights of TB patients.
The motion referenced the commitments made by world leaders, including Nigeria, at United Nations High-Level Meetings on TB in 2018 and 2023. These commitments aim to accelerate the fight against TB and align with the Sustainable Development Goal of ending the epidemic by 2030.
The lawmakers emphasized that addressing TB is not only a health issue but also a matter of human rights and social justice, as stigma and discrimination continue to impede progress in combating the disease. They called on stakeholders to act swiftly to close funding gaps and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against TB.
