Eko Hot Blog reports that in a significant boost to Nigeria’s efforts to combat HIV and tuberculosis (TB), the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, launched 72 Hilux vehicles and 6 ambulances procured by the Global Fund at the Federal Central Medical Stores in Oshodi, Lagos State.
In an interview with Eko Hot Blog during the launch ceremony, Minister Alausa emphasized the crucial role these vehicles will play in enhancing program coordination and management of HIV and tuberculosis initiatives across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
“These vehicles were purchased for the specific purpose of improving the program coordination and management of HIV and tuberculosis programs nationwide,” Alausa stated. “They will enable our program officers to efficiently transport samples and move around, ultimately improving the delivery of services under these vital programs.”
The Hilux vehicles and ambulances, valued at approximately $2,880,000, were part of a larger procurement initiative by the Global Fund to support Nigeria’s fight against these pressing public health challenges.
Alausa commended the Global Fund’s unwavering support, highlighting their substantial contributions over the past decades. “The Global Fund has donated about $4.6 billion in trying to support us in the areas of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria,” he revealed.
Nigeria, in turn, has demonstrated its commitment to the partnership by contributing nearly $40 million to every grant support received from the Global Fund.
During the launch, Alausa emphasized the government’s determination to strengthen the country’s healthcare system and workforce beyond the Global Fund’s grants. “We also need to strengthen our healthcare system and human resources so that many years from now, when the grants are gone, we as a country will have enough capacity and human resources to continue to move ahead in protecting our citizens,” he stated.
Highlighting the government’s efforts, Alausa revealed that the 2024 budget allocates the highest funding for the healthcare sector in the country’s history. “The president has mandated us to use the additional funding not for administration but to directly build infrastructure in our healthcare system and buy modern equipment as we continue to improve,” he added.
The minister called on Nigerians to support the government’s efforts, urging them to refrain from vandalism and theft of public property, as “the President is working for every Nigerian to have a better life.”
The launch of the vehicles procured by the Global Fund marked a significant step forward in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against HIV and TB, with Minister Alausa playing a pivotal role in this transformative initiative.
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