The Ogun State Government, in collaboration with the Institute of Human Virology, IHV, has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing the prevalence of tuberculosis in the state.
The Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr Elijah Ogunsola, made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday.
According to Ogunsola, the meeting aimed to review the progress of the tuberculosis control project and resolve its implementation challenges in the state.
Ogunsola commended the stakeholders for their contributions towards the project, encouraging them to continue harnessing their expertise and sharing their experiences and suggestions for improving tuberculosis control.
In her presentation, the State Programme Manager for Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control, Olusola Taiwo, said the state government was committed to reducing the prevalence of tuberculosis in the state. She noted that despite the progress made, challenges remain.
She called for more collective action among stakeholders in addressing challenges facing tuberculosis control efforts in the state.
In his remarks, the State Manager of the Institute of Human Virology, Adeyemi Ajayi, disclosed that the agency implemented the Tuberculosis-Local Organising Network 3 (TB-LON 3) project, which was funded by the United States Agency for International Development, USAID. He said the inclusion of the local health authority team was instrumental in supporting the tuberculosis control project, as they were closer to the grassroots in the state and better positioned to combat the disease and other related ones.
Speaking on behalf of the health secretaries, Dr Atinuke Duze appreciated the efforts of the Abiodun-led administration towards achieving a healthier population and environment in the state. She expressed optimism that the state would make significant progress in reducing the prevalence of the disease and achieving its goal of becoming a tuberculosis-free state.