The Anambra State Government is preparing for future transition from reliance on donor support to locally driven ownership and sustainable management of AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, ATM, programmes.
Dr Afam Obidike, the State Commissioner for Health made this known at a stakeholders’ meeting to validate, HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis, malaria, ATM, cost of doing business, assessment and discuss its transition for sustainability.
The three-day meeting was organized by Anambra State AIDS Control Agency, ANSACA, in collaboration with National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, with support from Global Fund, in Awka.
Obidike said the meeting was an opportunity to assess the state’s current position, identify priority actions and agree on effective way to sustainably integrate ATM services into the broader health agenda
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He said AIDs, TB and malaria had continued to pose significant public health and socio-economic challenges in the state and across the nation.
According to him, significant progress has been made over the years, thanks to support from international partners, civil society, community actors, and frontline health workers.
The commissioner said the state was at a critical juncture where sustaining the gains demands strategic planning, effective resource mobilisation and robust collaboration.
“This is an opportunity to understand the true cost of ATM programme delivery, identify bottlenecks and streamline systems for efficiency.
“More importantly, to guide us in ensuring value for money and strengthening accountability.
“It will also help the state prepare adequately for an eventual transition from donor dependency to domestically-driven ownership and sustainability.
“It is an opportunity to interrogate the findings, provide constructive inputs and align on strategies that guarantee uninterrupted access to AIDs, TB, and Malaria services for our people, especially the most vulnerable among us.
“We must ensure that these essential services are effectively integrated into our health system in ways that enhance efficiency, equity, and resilience,” he said.
Obidike commended partners, including Global Fund, UNAIDS, NACA and other stakeholders for their contributions in the state.
He said the outcomes from the meeting would serve as guiding framework for government and partners in ensuring sustainable access to ATM services for beneficiaries.
Also speaking, Dr Temitope Ilori, Director-General, NACA, also called on states to realign their priorities to address the challenges posed by the decline in donor funding.
Ilori, represented by Director, Community Prevention, Care and Support Department, Mr. James Anenih, urged states to own the AIDS response and prioritise home-grown solutions.
“Everyone is aware that the whole world is pulling back resources that we used to have for issues like AIDs, TB and Malaria.
“Countries are re-prioritising their priorities and Nigeria has to follow suit.
“A sustainability framework has been developed at the national level which states are expected to leverage on to develop their own specific sustainability plan.
“In view of their peculiarities, including priorities, budgetary allocations and release, each state, if you like, should cut its coat according to its size,” she said.
Earlier, Mr. Johnbosco Ementa, Executive Director, ANSACA, said the meeting was to safeguard and strengthen gains achieved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
“The engagement is to ensure shared commitment, innovative financing and effective governance, in alignment with the National Sustainability Roadmap,” he said.
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