More than 200 experts from the Federal and State Ministries of Health, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and funders have reaffirmed their commitment to prioritizing the integration of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV programs across the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory.
This commitment was reinforced during a five-day National Boot Camp hosted by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) in Lagos State. The camp focused on discussing the integration of TB and HIV services to enhance healthcare delivery under the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7.
The experts reached a consensus to harmonize service delivery and reporting across TB and HIV implementers nationwide, with plans to evaluate progress at three and six-month intervals.
Dr. Aderonke Agbaje, IHVN Director of Programs – Special Projects, emphasized, “Integration increases the impact of interventions. It makes us more effective in implementation. As a Principal Recipient of the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 project, IHVN is working under the leadership of the Directorate of Public Health, National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), National AIDS and STD Control Program (NASCP), and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) to bolster Nigeria’s response to the epidemics of tuberculosis and HIV in the public and private sectors and the community.”
The Boot Camp featured engaging break-out and brainstorming sessions on the treatment and care cascade for HIV and TB, monitoring and evaluation requirements, and TB/HIV health and non-health product management. Additionally, guidelines and standard operating procedures were developed for HIV Testing Services among presumed pregnant women outside conventional health facilities.
Key attendees included the Director of Public Health, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike; the Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu; Representative of the Health Commissioners Forum, Hon. Commissioner of Health for Kwara State, Dr. Amina M. Ahmed El-Imam; and representatives from the Global Fund, PEPFAR, USAID, UNAIDS, UNODC, the Network of People Living with HIV (NEPWHAN), and the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM). These leaders called for collective action and the support of all stakeholders in achieving TB and HIV integration and building sustainable and resilient health systems.
