World TB Day: Foundation Seeks Increased Budgetary Allocation For HIV, TB

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has called for increased budgetary allocation to the health sector, particularly for the fight against HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB), amid declining support from international donor agencies.

The appeal was made during an advocacy meeting with the leadership of the Kogi State House of Assembly in Lokoja to mark World Tuberculosis Day.

Speaking during the engagement, Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF Nigeria, Steve Aborisade, said the reduction in international donor funding could affect ongoing efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and TB unless governments increase domestic funding.

Aborisade noted that Nigeria had recorded significant progress in the treatment and management of HIV/AIDS over the years, stressing that sustaining these gains would require stronger collaboration among government agencies, implementing partners and civil society organisations.

According to him, increased local resource mobilisation is necessary to cushion the impact of declining foreign support.

“Unless stakeholders and government make conscious efforts to mobilise local resources for HIV/AIDS and TB programmes, we risk losing the gains that have been achieved,” he said.

He added that although there is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS, treatment programmes have proven effective in managing the disease and improving the quality of life for those living with the virus.

Aborisade said the visit to the state legislature was aimed at seeking the support of lawmakers in ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to HIV/AIDS and TB programmes in the state.

He further noted that AHF operates in over 50 countries worldwide and in 14 countries across Africa, including Nigeria, where it provides HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services in seven states.

Responding, Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, commended AHF and its partners for their efforts in addressing public health challenges and pledged legislative support for improved healthcare funding.

Represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Usman Ochidi, the Speaker urged the organisation and its partners to actively participate during budget defence sessions to contribute to discussions on increasing allocations to the health sector.

He also called on members of the National Assembly of Nigeria to use legislative frameworks to encourage the federal government to ensure that funds appropriated for the health sector are not only approved but also released promptly.

Speaking on the significance of World Tuberculosis Day, the lawmaker emphasised the need for sustained public sensitisation and awareness campaigns on the dangers of TB and the ongoing efforts by health agencies to combat the disease.

Other stakeholders at the meeting, including representatives of civil society organisations and health professionals, also called for increased government intervention through higher budgetary allocation to the public health sector in order to mitigate the impact of the withdrawal of some international donor support.

The event featured the presentation of an award to the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly in recognition of his support for efforts to address public health challenges in the state.