ARFH deepen efforts to reduce HIV and TB in Lagos State

 
To further combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis in high priority communities in across Nigeria, ARFH as one of the Principal recipient of the Global Fund to Fight AID, TB and Malaria grant to Nigeria has kicked-off the implementation of the global fund new funding model for HIV and TB across States in Nigeria. The commencement of Global Fund  grant in Nigeria and especially in Lagos state began with a high level advocacy and consultative meeting with the State Ministry of Health, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency and the Primary Health Care Board on 27th Oct, 2015. The purpose of the meeting was to explore ways to implement in partnership with other Lagos State, other organizations, innovative demand generation activities and community mobilization for pregnant women and the general population in the 12 selected LGAs in Lagos State.
Speaking during the event, the Coordinator for Monitoring and Evaluation at ARFH, Dr. Abiodun Hassan said the purpose of the meetings was to explore ways of collaborating and working effectively to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. “The new funding model places emphasis on improving collaboration and integration of TB malaria and HIV/AIDS intervention in Nigeria to all levels of government. It entails expansion of services and also emphasizes making rapid impart and showing efficiency and value for money within the period particularly looking at privatization of the state and local, community for intervention. It is so innovative that we can achieve better result with it and it is advancement on previous grants in the past” he said
Dr. Hassan said that the Global Fund works with countries to support programs of prevention, treatment and care for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and to strengthen health systems and the funding model is based on allocations.
“Starting from the country’s national strategic plan, stakeholders participate in an ongoing and inclusive country dialogue. This dialogue will serve as the basis for developing a funding application known as a concept note. After a thorough evaluation by a group of independent experts, implementers work with the Global Fund to develop a road map for implementation so that when grants are submitted to the Board for final approval and funding, it is considered ready to receive its first disbursement”, he said.
He said further mentioned that the current strategies has taken into consideration lessons learnt from the previous round of implementation and this has informed the strategic directions in the New funding Model especially in improving stakeholders engagement at the state, LGA and community levels as well as focusing attention on key target populations and utilizing an integrated approach to service delivery by selecting one CBO per LGA to implement across the grant for HIV and TB partners and PRs. “The Global Fund was created to bring additional resources to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria to those countries and communities most in need. Because one of our core principles is the concept of country ownership, we provide funding at the country or regional level only” he added.

At the meeting, stakeholders were urged to take ownership by ensuring that they provide the environment necessary for an effective implementation. The Perm Secretary represented by Dr. Erinosoho and other members of the team applauded ARFH’s approach to implementation and pledges their support to ensure a smooth operation in the state. They emphasized that CBOs must be encouraged to collaborate well with the LGAs for effective coordination and oversight
The meeting was attended by Heads of Unit/Directorates from Admin & HR, Health Education, Medical Laboratory & Science Union , Pharmaceutical Services, Monitoring & Evaluation, DDMS, Community Health, Head of Nursing and MOHs from 12 selected LGA.

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