Nigeria’s Huge TB burden is largely attributable to the wide gap in financing TB activities articulated in the National TB Strategic Plan; in 2018, only a quarter of funds needed for TB implementation was mobilized. Domestic financing accounted for less than 10% of the annual budget for TB in Nigeria, which stood in sharp contrast to what is obtainable in countries with similar income group. Government funding accounts for 75%  and 70% of TB budget in India and Congo DRC respectively. the observed funding gap mirrors TB case treatment gaps – 75% funding gap resulted in 75% treatment gap.

Domestic resource mobilization has been identified as a pivotal strategy for sustainable financing for TB that will set the country on the trajectory of ending TB by the year 2030. to achieve the ambitious goal, mobilizing additional resources should be coupled with strategic purchasing through both supply and demand-side financing of case detection, case notification, case treatment, and other associated services.

Against the foregoing, DGI Consult organized a Webinar, themed: “Towards Nigeria’s TB Quest: Can Strategic Purchasing be the Game Changer?” The webinar which brought experts from the National TB and Leprosy Control Program (NTBLCP), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), State Health Insurance Scheme (SSHIS), and Implementing Partners, shared experiences and practical recommendations on the application of domestic resource mobilization strategies and strategic purchasing towards changing Nigeria’s TB narrative.

The panelists included:

• Dr. Elaine Baruwa:  Health Economist Abt Associates/USAID SHOPS plus Project
• Dr. Aderonke Agbaje: Chief of Party, USAID TB-LON 3 Project
• Dr. Jonathan Eke: General Manager, Formal Sector, NHIS
• Dr. Sola Akande: Executive Secretary, Oyo State Health Insurance Agency
• Dr. Emperor Ubochioma: Team Lead, Programme Management Unit, NTBLCP TB Grant

Moderator

• Dr. Gafar Alawode: Managing Partner, DGI Consult Ltd

Click here to view the recorded version of the webinar             You can also download a copy of the presentation here