The control of Tuberculosis (TB) in Anambra State is being severely hindered by a lack of funding, according to Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, the Manager of the Anambra State Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Control Program.
Speaking at a recent Consultative Breakfast Meeting on Tuberculosis in Awka, Chukwulobelu highlighted the urgent need for increased financial support to combat the rising incidence of TB in the state.
The event, organized by the Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre as part of the Fund TB Project, brought together stakeholders from the private sector and civil society.
The project, implemented by five NGOs across the South-East and South-South regions, is funded by USAID through the Palladium Group under the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement initiative.
Chukwulobelu revealed alarming statistics, noting that 323 out of every 100,000 individuals in Anambra State have TB, with 219 new cases recorded annually per 100,000 people.
He expressed frustration over the state’s reliance on donor funding, warning that the sustainability of TB control efforts could be jeopardized by donor fatigue.
“Despite writing several memos last year, none were approved, and no funds were released from the budgeted amount,” Chukwulobelu stated. He called for urgent financial intervention from both the government and private sector to ensure that TB control programs in Anambra State can continue effectively.
The state currently operates around 800 Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) sites, 14 GeneXpert machines, 13 GeneXpert sites, and one Truenat machine.
These facilities have significantly improved access to TB diagnosis and treatment. However, Chukwulobelu emphasized the need to reduce the stigma associated with TB, noting that patients who have been on treatment for just one week are no longer infectious. He also reminded the public that TB diagnosis and treatment are free in Anambra State.
Civil society activist Chima Asomba echoed the call for private sector involvement, urging businesses to invest in diagnostic tools, education, and sensitization efforts.
She highlighted the lack of diagnostic tools in certain local government areas, including Awka North and Orumba North, and stressed that collaboration between the public and private sectors could bridge these gaps.
Eucharia Anekwe, Executive Director of GPSDC, also encouraged the private sector to incorporate TB awareness into their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. She suggested that businesses could support TB patients through nutritious feeding programs, transportation assistance, and funding for outreach efforts.
Faith Paulinus, Head of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning at the Fund TB Cluster, further urged the Anambra State Government to increase its domestic budgeting for TB control and to ensure that funds are released promptly.
She also called on the private sector to support TB efforts by acquiring diagnostic machines, subsidizing TB diagnosis, and creating awareness in the workplace.
The State TB Network Coordinator, Ify Unachukwu, stressed the importance of separate funding for different health programs, arguing that this would provide clearer insights into how much the government allocates to specific health initiatives each year.
