The Okaha Women and Children Development Organisation (OWACDO) is taking a bold step in the fight against the rising cases of tuberculosis (TB) in Benue State and Northern Nigeria. As the cases of this highly infectious disease continue to climb, OWACDO has partnered with the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD) to convene a crucial stakeholders’ roundtable aimed at identifying practical solutions to curb the spread of TB in the region.
During a pivotal meeting in Makurdi, Mrs. Joy Ijuwo, Executive Director of OWACDO, led a TB advocacy team to the office of the BICD Director General, Aondoaseer Leo-Angelo Viashima. The advocacy is part of a broader initiative by the TB Northern Nexus Cluster, a coalition of six NGOs across Northern Nigeria. This coalition, which includes OWACDO, is implementing the “Increasing Domestic TB Funding in Northern Nigeria” project, generously funded by USAID through Palladium.
Mrs. Ijuwo has been at the forefront of advocating for stronger governmental and community responses to TB. In her discussions with Mr. Viashima, she commended the Benue State Government for establishing a budget line for TB—a proactive measure that is not yet common across other Northern states. The allocation of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000.00) to TB programs is a significant achievement, but Mrs. Ijuwo passionately urged the state to release these funds immediately to support crucial TB activities such as case finding, screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
Expressing concern over the non-release of these budgeted funds, Mrs. Ijuwo highlighted the detrimental impact this has had on TB programming in the state. This includes the worsening conditions of Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) centers and the failure of several Gene Xpert machines essential for TB testing. She emphasized the urgent need for collective action, noting that TB is a public health threat to which no one is immune.
OWACDO’s advocacy extends beyond government engagement. Mrs. Ijuwo called on private sector actors to step up and contribute to the fight against TB through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. She urged them to assist in repairing faulty Gene Xpert machines and improving the infrastructure of DOT centers, making them more hospitable for vulnerable patients.
Mr. Viashima, recognizing OWACDO’s critical role and his own experience in public health, expressed his commitment to fostering collaboration between development partners and the state government. He stressed that the upcoming stakeholders’ roundtable would be a vital platform for identifying gaps in the TB response, understanding the challenges, and developing sustainable solutions, including a robust framework for TB funding.
OWACDO remains dedicated to leading the charge against TB in Benue State and beyond, ensuring that every step is taken to protect the health and well-being of the community.
“Together, Let’s End TB: Unite, Support, and Act for a Healthier Future!”