The federal government has disclosed that the Global Fund in the last 10 years, supported Nigeria with over $4.6bn to bolster the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
This is just as the Fund through the Family Health International (FHI 360) handed over 72 Toyota Hilux vehicles and laboratory diagnostic equipment procured through a Global Fund Grant to the Federal Government in her fight against HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who spoke yesterday during the handing over ceremony at the Federal Central Medical Stores, Oshodi, Lagos acknowledged the significant contributions of the global funds to the fight against HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
He said, “Global fund is one of our biggest partners, helping us in the Area of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
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“Over the past decade, they have donated about 4.6 billion in grants to support us, We have also put about $40m into the grant they have given us.
“We had a meeting today and I talked to them about helping us beyond the grant as we also need to strengthen our human resource for healthcare so that many years from now, we can have enough capacity to continue to move ahead in protecting our citizens.”
Mr. Ayo Ibimoye, representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasized the imperative of maximizing the impact of the donated vehicles to enhance healthcare delivery nationwide.
Equipment Investments under the GC6 NAHI project included; a total of 72 Hilux vehicles 4×4 WD model valued at $2,880,000; 333 Truelab Real Time Machines valued at $11,980,780; 100 TB-Lamp machines valued at $6.5 million; 350 mobile digital X-ray machines valued at $32.8 million.
Others are three mobile chest x-ray vans, EasyDR type valued at $884,792.16, Facility based digital CxR system valued at $1,472,376.36, 45 pieces of Class II Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) valued at $483,123.32.
Mark Edington, Head of Grant Management at the Global Fund, commended the state program managers for their pivotal role in deploying investments effectively.
He underscored the importance of integrating services across various health domains to address critical gaps and achieve ambitious targets.
“The equipment investment, valued at millions of dollars, signifies a significant leap forward in Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure,”
“From advanced diagnostic machines to state-of-the-art digital X-ray equipment, these investments are poised to revolutionize healthcare delivery and improve outcomes for millions of Nigerians” he stated.
