The 2021 National TB Conference was organized by the STOP TB Partnership Nigeria and the National TB Leprosy Control Program (NTBLCP) which held from November 9th – 11th, 2021 at the International Conference Centre Abuja. The 2021 conference was the third edition and has become the largest platform where stakeholders come together to deliberate on issues in TB control program.
At the conference, the representative of DGI Consult made a presentation titled “Putting the States on the Trajectory of TB Sustainable Financing: The Lagos State Experience.” The presentation revealed DGI’s approach to domestic resource mobilization for TB on the USAID-funded TB LON 3 project led by IHVN. DGI deployed evidence-based budget advocacy through multi-sectoral engagements and strengthening communication between the health, finance and budget actors, which led to an unprecedented budgetary release for the TB Program in Lagos State. Towards integrating TB into the benefits package of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), an actuarial analysis conducted by DGI demonstrated the financial feasibility of TB integration into the SSHIS, forming the basis for the inclusion of TB-specific services into the scheme.
Additionally, DGI supported Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) to accelerate health insurance coverage through the engagement of informal sector umbrella bodies towards increasing health insurance enrolment drive. This has increased the enrolment of informal sector operators into the SSHIS, and it is expected to increase the chances of TB patients being enrolled into the SSHIS.
