Metro
Be Specific in Addressing Gaps in TB Treatment, Diagnosis Stakeholders, Task FG
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
Stakeholders in the Health Sector on Thursday, tasked the Federal Government, FG, to be specific in addressing the gaps in treatment , diagnosis, locating people with Tuberculosis, TB, in Nigeria.
Among those who spoke at at a one-day national stakeholders’ consultation on post-United Nations High level meeting, UNHLM, organized by Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, in collaboration with National Tuberculosis and Lebrosy Control Programme, NTBLCB, and USAID, in Abuja, include,Ag.
Board Chairman of Sop TB partnership Nigeria, Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, Director Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health.Board Vice Chairman of Stop TB Partnership in Nigeria, Dr.
Austin Obiefuna, in his presentation, said Nigeria as a giant of Africa and the most populous black nation in the world, it is imperative that the nation do more in the area of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of TB.According to him, “The major takehome for countries is to go back home to understand what is in there for their political declaration. We are looking at countries domesticating the UNHLM declaration.
“For Nigeria, we are not new , we already have programmes in place, what we need to do now is to look at our gaps, in relation to finding people with TB, we have huge gap in quality diagnostics, and affordability to the people.
“What we should do is to look at those gaps in the ongoing programmes in Nigeria, what we have been able to achieve and what we were not able to achieve and look at what are the problems why we were not able to achieve them. Then we will reframe them and re-strategise to be able to cover the lapses.
“TB has been here for long and we need different strategies to address the challenges, which include vaccines, not only for children but for everyone”.
He insisted that there is need for Nigeria to focus on strong political advocacy.
Mr. Omoniyi Amos, who represented Abuja office of World Health Organization, WHO, said infact it was WHO that conceptualized the strategy in controlling TB not only in Nigeria, but for all countries all over the world.
He noted that the only way Nigeria as a nation can address the challenges of TB is to show more domestic support and resources.
“The way Nigeria is, if we have to rely on international donors to do this, they would not achieve their goal but with more commitment from the government, the know how is there, they will be able to achieve their set targets.
“For example we still have about 70% gap on TB budgeting every year”, he lamented.
According to the abridged version of Political declaration of the UN high level meeting on the fight against TB, adopted by the 78th session of the UN General Assembly on 5th October , 2023, says To end TB by 2027 , these are the things that must be done, “At least 90% of people who develop Tuberculosis are reached with quality assured diagnosis and treatment, with all those diagnosis and treatment , having been initially tested with WHO recommended rapid molecular tests, and supported to complete treatment, which translates to providing treatment for up to 45 million people between 2023 and 2027, including up to 4.5 million children and up to 2.5 million people with drug resistant Tuberculosis.
“At least 90% of people at high risk of developing Tuberculosis are provided with preventive treatment which translates to providing up to 45 million”.
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has welcomed the newly-appointed Apostolic to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty.
Crotty, an Irish, was appointed by the Vatican.
He will oversee the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the church in Nigeria.
The position, an ambassadorial status, advances cohesion in the body of Christ.
In his welcome message for Crotty on Tuesday, the President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, said that the Church was glad to receive him.
The CBCN president, who is also the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, said,” With joy and gratitude to God, I extend a hearty welcome to Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty on behalf of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, clergy, religious and lay faithful in Nigeria.
“We are thankful to His Holiness, Pope Francis, for appointing Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty as the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria to build on the good works of his predecessor, Archbishop Antonio Filipazzi.
“His appointment is a testament to the strong spiritual bond between our countries,” he said.
He said that although Crotty was the first Apostolic Nuncio from Ireland to serve in Nigeria, many Irish missionaries had played significant roles in spreading the gospel in Nigeria.
“We appreciate Archbishop Crotty’s acceptance of serving in Nigeria and assure him of our full support and cooperation.
“We pray for a fruitful mission and a blessed tenure for our excellency,” he added. (NAN)
The National Boundary Commission (NBC), says it has concluded plans to provide infrastructure in flash locations along interstate boundaries to encourage integration and cooperation.
The Director-General of the commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, stated this in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday.
Adaji said that the commission would look at flash point areas and provide infrastructures that would encourage cooperation and integration among border communities.
He said that the goal was to see how the commission could bring people in border communities together to share from a common facility.
This, according to him, will douse tension and bring some kind of understanding among border communities.
“The bounder communities will share the facilities, which in the long run will bring the people together and eventually reduce tension and boundary conflicts.
“This is a way of encouraging integration and cooperation by encouraging people to come together, relate with one another and engage in beneficial commercial activities.”
Adaji said that a similar initiative was test runed with a borehole, constructed boundary corridor in Ado Local Government Area of Benue state, where it shared boundary with Ebonyi.
“We have also been able to construct some market stalls in the Ebonyi sector of the boundary between Ebonyi and Cross River,” he added.
“So, our appeal is for people to appreciate, cooperate and understand that boundaries are not barriers.
“The boundary line will not stop somebody from owning properties across and that is what we want to partner with the states to educate people along by the boundary corridors. (NAN)
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended ten private jet operations over failure to begin recertification process.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Michael Achimugu, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection on Friday in Abuja.
The agency said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 18.
3. 4 forbids holders of Permit for Non Commercial Flights (PNCF) from using their aircraft for carriage of passengers, gargo or mail for hire or rewards (commercial operation or charter services)“As a result of flagrant disregard of this rule, the NCAA had earlier directed all holders of PNCF to undergo re-evaluation which should have been concluded by the April 19, 2024.
“To this end, the NCAA has suspended the PNCF
of Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd and Matrix Energy Ltd.
” Also Marrietta Management Services Ltd, Worldwide Skypaths Services, Mattini Airline Services Ltd, Aero Lead Ltd, Sky Bird Air Ltd and Ezuma Jets Ltd.
“The public is hereby notified that it is illegal to engage PNCF holders for commercial purposes. The NCAA will not hesitate to initiate enforcement actions against any PNCF holder found guilty of illegal operations,” the agency said.
The agency said that its officials had been deployed to General Aviation Terminals (GAT) and private wings of the airports to monitor activities of the PNCF holders. (NAN)
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