The U.S. Government, in partnership with the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR), has successfully revitalized 10 Tuberculosis (TB) Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) centres across Nigeria.
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative is a philanthropic organisation that aims to provide sustainable impact in health, education, and social development across the African continent. The initiative was established in 2021 by Abdul Samad Rabiu, an African industrialist, philanthropist, and chairman of BUA Group.
This initiative, backed by a $500,000 donation from ASR Africa’s Fund for Social Development and Renewal, is geared towards addressing the triple health challenge of TB, drug-resistant TB, and HIV-associated TB in the country.
The refurbished DOTS centers, integral to the ASR HIV/TB Intervention Support program, are strategically situated in primary healthcare centres spanning seven states: Lagos, Anambra, Oyo, Rivers, Kano, Bauchi and Katsina.
These facilities are poised to play a vital role in providing life-saving services, with a particular focus on TB screening and treatment.
Nigeria is one of the 30 high-TB burden countries globally. In 2020, there were an estimated 155,000 TB cases in Nigeria, with an incidence rate of 75 cases per 100,000 population.
WHO recommends rapid and accurate testing to diagnose TB, including nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and line-probe assays. The microbiological detection of TB is critical because it allows people to be correctly diagnosed and started on the most effective treatment regimen as early as possible. The WHO also recommends HIV testing for people diagnosed with TB, given the links between HIV infection and TB disease.
At the handover ceremony in Akinyele Primary Health Centre, Alimosho, Lagos, the MD/CEO of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman of the Initiative, Abdul Samad Rabiu, commended the USAID team for their intervention and their partnership with the Nigerian government in the eradication of tuberculosis in the country.
He commended the governments of Kano, Rivers, Katsina, Bauchi, Anambra, Oyo, and Lagos states, as well as the agencies that worked to deliver on the project’s success.
Udoh noted that with the installation of the TB machines, over 22,108 samples have already been taken in all the centres, out of which confirmed positive cases are receiving expert medical treatment.
Udoh reiterated the commitment of the Chairman of ASR Africa to investing resources towards tackling pressing developmental issues in health, education, and social development in Africa.
On her part, the Mission Director, USAID Nigeria, Anne Patterson, thanked ASR Africa for collaborating with USAID and invigorating the fight against tuberculosis and HIV in the country.
Patterson, who was represented by the Deputy Director, HIV/TB Office, USAID Nigeria, Omosalewa Oyelaran, added that the partnership with ASR Africa has provided critical support to reducing the burden of the disease and ensuring a better quality of life for those affected.
The Mosan Okunola LCDA Chairperson, Olabisi Adebayo, said: “I would like to appreciate ASR Africa for bringing this health facility close to us to enable our people to access quick diagnosis and treatment.
“We will take ownership of this facility and embark on advocacy exercise within the LCDA to ensure proper education about the danger of tuberculosis and the available treatment courtesy of ASR Africa.”
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