The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has concluded a meeting with stakeholders, who ...

will be involved in implementing the plan to scale-up the diagnosis and treatment of Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the country.

60 participants including Chief Medical Directors, Directors of Public Health , State Tuberculosis /Leprosy Control Officers and Focal persons, Program Managers and Government officials from Kano, Kaduna, Cross-River, Rivers, Oyo, Lagos and Plateau States were on hand to deliberate on the implementation of the Global Fund Round 9 MDR-TB grant.

According to IHVN Coordinator Global Fund Programs, Dr. Ronke Agbaje, IHVN as a principal recipient of the Global Fund Round 9 MDR-TB organized the meeting to bring together and give orientation to key officers on their roles: "They need to know where we are now, what is expected of them and the gaps that need to be filled." Dr. Agbaje also noted that feedback received from the participants would contribute to successful implementation of the MDR-TB program.

Areas such as financial reporting, program reporting, supply chain management of drugs and commodities, training guidelines, monitoring of activities, compliance to standards and advocacy roles were discussed at the meeting.

The Chairman of the National MDR-TB Committee Prof. Oni Idigbe noted that the meeting was very important. 'I have been involved with all the Global Fund Programs. This one is the first where in the planning stage, they have decided to bring together all stakeholders.' Prof. Idigbe stated that the meeting will prevent problems that arise due to poor consultation.

Cross River State Director of Public Health, Dr. John Odok, who also participated in the discussions, noted that bringing together key officers from all catchment states has allowed for various views to be shared on how to tackle tuberculosis, which is a major public health problem.