The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have joined forces to revitalize and equip 10 Tuberculosis (TB) facilities across Nigeria, aiming to address the Country’s alarming rate of approximately 11 deaths per hour from the Disease.
The United States placed Nigeria, the most populous black Nation, among the top 10 Countries globally with the highest number of undetected TB Cases.
According to a statement released yesterday by USAID, Nigeria ranks first in Africa and sixth Worldwide, contributing to 4.6% of the Global TB burden.
The statement highlighted the dire situation in Nigeria, with about 11 deaths occurring every hour due to TB, translating to nearly 264 deaths daily, over 8,160 monthly, and reaching 98,000 yearly.
The renovated facilities, located in Lagos, Anambra, Oyo, Rivers, Kano, Bauchi, and Katsina States, are aimed at providing life-saving Services.
In 2022, ASR Africa contributed $500,000 to USAID to address Nigeria’s TB care needs, focusing on TB control and Gender-based violence.
This contribution aligns with USAID’s broader $78 million, five-year TB Local Organization Network Activity, dedicated to detecting, treating, and reporting TB cases.
Utilizing ASR Africa’s funds, USAID provided 11 TB Lamp Diagnostic machines and laboratory supplies.
ASR Africa also renovated 10 Tuberculosis Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) centers and distributed over 2,000 dignity kits to Gender-based violence Survivors across seven selected Nigerian states, including Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, and Anambra.
During a handover Ceremony at the newly renovated Akinyele Primary Health Centre in Alimosho, Lagos, Omosalewa Oyelaran, USAID/Nigeria Deputy Director HIV/AIDS and TB Office, underlined the pivotal role of the Private Sector in achieving sustainable results.
She stated, “This partnership demonstrates how the Private Sector holds Immense potential to catalyze sustainable results.”
ASR Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Ubon Udoh, commended USAID for its Intervention and Partnership, highlighting the successful Implementation of TB machines and the commitment of ASR Africa’s chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, in allocating Resources to address critical Developmental Issues in Africa.
