TB Advocacy Team Commends ESLF’s Humanitarian Efforts
A USAID-supported advocacy team, sponsored by Palladium, visited the Eunice Spring of Life Foundation (ESLF) to recognize its significant humanitarian contributions. The team operates under the TB Northern Nexus Cluster, a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The visit aimed to garner support for tuberculosis (TB) programs in Benue State.
OWACDO Leads Advocacy Visit
The advocacy team was led by Mrs. Joy Ijuwo, Executive Director of Okaha Women and Children Development Organisation (OWACDO). During the visit, she highlighted the impact of ESLF’s initiatives in governance, economic empowerment, and health. She praised the foundation’s ongoing projects, including efforts to combat TB in Benue State.
Mrs. Ijuwo commended the provision of motorcycles by ESLF’s founder, Dr. Eunice Ortom, the former First Lady of Benue State. These motorcycles have improved the transportation of drugs and supervision of TB Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) centers across the state. This intervention played a critical role in the fight against TB, earning Dr. Ortom the title of “TB Champion.”
Call for Continued Support
Mrs. Ijuwo urged ESLF to sustain its efforts in battling TB. She emphasized the need to reduce TB statistics and complement the work of international partners like Breakthrough Action and KNCV. The team also expressed concern over diminishing foreign funding and the impending conclusion of some TB projects. This situation underscores the need for State Governments to release budgeted TB funds and for local bodies to contribute resources.
ESLF’s Commitment to the Cause
In response, Dr. Eunice Ortom, represented by Dr. Comfort Abaa, Programme Coordinator of ESLF, praised the advocacy team’s dedication. She reaffirmed ESLF’s commitment to humanitarian causes, including the fight against TB. Dr. Ortom also promised to make the ESLF Hospital available as a service point for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), ensuring TB patients can access affordable treatment.
During the visit, the team presented an Advocacy Brief and TB Fact Sheet to ESLF. They also learned the sign language expression “End TB Now,” which reflects ESLF’s online campaign for World TB Day in 2020.
“Together, Let’s End TB: Unite, Support, and Act for a Healthier Future!”