The Global Fund TB Project team, led by its Project Director Dr. Jude A. Ilozumba and Technical Lead Chidimma Okoye participated in a joint visit to Abia state to provide supportive supervision, technical guidance, and mentorship to the project team.
The major highlight of the visit was a strategic stakeholder meeting with the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche and key TB and laboratory partners, including Dr. George Ikpe of National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme(NTBLCP), Dr. Afamuefula, Abia State TB Programme Manager, Regional Director Ihv Nigeria, Dr. Chike Ezeanya, and the IHVN Laboratory Team, Mr. Julius.
The meeting focused on the South-East Zonal Reference Laboratory in Amachara, Abia State, which plays an important role in TB diagnosis and DR-TB monitoring in the region. Stakeholders discussed the challenges affecting the laboratory and the need for stronger state support. The Honourable Commissioner engaged the relevant government teams and committed to addressing the identified issues.
The team also reviewed TB case finding, diagnosis, treatment and care, with a focus on reaching more people with timely TB services. Caritas Nigeria remains committed to working with the Abia State Government, NTBLCP, and Ihv Nigeria to strengthen TB services and ensure that more people are reached, diagnosed, and linked to appropriate care.
