Over the last five years, the United States Government through its Agency for International Development (USAID) supported Nigerian health officials to save the lives of more than 581,000 Nigerians with tuberculosis, according to participants at a closeout ceremony for the USAID funded Challenge TB activity.
The USAID said in a statement on Wednesday that since 2014, Challenge TB implemented health facility and community-based TB case finding interventions, including health systems strengthening, in 14 Nigerian states.
Stephen M. Haykin, USAID Mission Director said at the closing ceremony on Wednesday that “at today’s dissemination, key TB stakeholders came together to share the results from this $40 million activity.
“In collaboration with the Government of Nigeria and other TB partners, Challenge TB worked to raise awareness, reduce stigma and improve health-seeking behaviours among vulnerable Nigerians,” he added.
In collaboration with Nigeria’s National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program, Challenge TB provided technical the support that helped close gaps in diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, contributing to improving access to TB services, preventing disease progression and strengthening service delivery platforms.
With the help of Challenge TB and in alignment with the National TB Control Program’s END TB Strategic Plan, Nigeria increased TB case notification by two-fold over the last five years and improved TB treatment coverage.
The USAID mentioned the case of Kasimu Yahaya, 24, of Keffi, a student of Nasarawa State University in 2017, who fell ill with weakness, headache, and cough. It added that when medication did not improve his condition, he went to a USAID-supported primary Health Care Center where he tested positive for TB.
The USAID said that after six months of free treatment, Yahaya is fully cured, and with the financial help of Challenge TB has completed his education and is now a self-appointed advocate for TB awareness across Nasarawa state.
“I didn’t know all this time that the help I received was from the American people,” Yahya said. “I will be grateful always. What’s more important than help to improve your health and save your life? Without health you can’t achieve anything else, Yahaya added.
Focus states for TB Challenge included Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Cross Rivers, Enugu, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, and Rivers.
USAID has collaborated with the National TB Control Program since 2003, having invested more than $207 million toward TB control. This support has resulted in the establishment of more than 3,000 new TB clinics, strengthening of diagnostic capability, training for health workers, and the expansion of control services into the private sector.
Innocent Odoh, Abuja
