News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
As the world marks the 2026 Tuberculosis day,, a Non Governmental Organization, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF Nigeria) has taken advocacy to Kogi State House of Assemblyurging them to ensure an increased Budgetary allocation to the health sector, especially to HIV and Tuberculosis (TB).
The organization said the call has become necessary in the face of major reductions in international donors funding limiting the support available for both HIV/AIDS and TB.
The Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF-Nigeria, Mr. Steve Aborisade made the demand on during an advocacy meeting with the leadership of the Kogi State House of Assembly, in Lokoja, being part of activities of the organization to mark the 2026 World TB day.
Aborisade, who noted the many gains that has been recorded in the treatment of HIV/ AIDS in Nigeria, said what is needed now is increased collaboration between the Implementing Partners (IPs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the government, to guarantee increased local resource mobilisation to HIV/AIDS and TB.
He said “This is the only way to sustain the gains that has been made and mitigate the resultant impact of reduced funding by some international donor agencies.”
Aborisade who noted that there is still no cure for HIV/AIDS, but that the treatment program is working and is very effective stated that “Unless stakeholders and government make conscious efforts to warehouse local resources to HIV/AIDS and TB, we stand the risk of loosing the gains that has been accomplished.”
He explained that AHF and her partners are in the Kogi State House of Assembly to solicit the support of parliamentarians to ensure that the effort against HIV/AIDS and TB in the state gets the needed boost through increased budgetary allocation.
According to him, it has become expedient for Nigeria and other governments in Africa to pick up the gauntlet and bridge the gaps that may exist with the reduction in foreign donors support, adding that AHF has made a case to the Legislative arm of government to ensure that the state subsequently earmark adequate resources to the effort against HIV/AIDS and TB.
He disclosed that AHF has its presence in 50 countries globally, and provides services in 14 African states including Nigeria, while they work in seven states in Nigeria, including Benue, providing HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services.
In his response, Speaker of kogi state House of Assembly, Aliyu Yusuf commended the effort of the coalition of NGOs and pledged for a collaborative synergy.
The speaker who noted that the interaction with organization and their CSOs partners has shed insight on the issue, urger AHF and her partners to engage the House of Assembly during the Budgetary processed promisinh to use the legislative framework to draw support to the sector.
The speaker, represented by the chairman, House committee on Health, Usman Ochidi, challenged AHF and partners to avail themselves during the budget defence to make useful contributions to the progressive increments in budgetary allocation to the sector.
The speaker urged members of National Assembly to use legislative framework to inspire the Federal Government to ensure that the budget for the Health Sector is not only approved but is released on time.
Ochidi called for massive sensitization and awareness of the people on the effect of TB and how relevant agencies are fighting to stem the scourge.
He commended AHF for the commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS and other public health concerns and promise to remain supportive of the body in the effort against the pandemic.
In their separate speeches, the Chairman of KONGONET and INGRA, Hamza , Aliyu , Ambassador Muraina Ozovehe, Dr. Komolafe Rotimi, the Kogi state Program Officer for TB, leprosy and buruli ulcer, , Dr. Murna Yashim Ankint, senior Program Officer of Human Virology Abuja, solicited for government intervention through massive Budgetary allocation to the public health sector to mitigate the withdrawal of multinational donors.
