Counting down to World TB Day: Message from the Executive Secretary, Stop TB Partnership

In just three weeks, we join the rest of the world in celebrating World TB Day under the theme Reach the 3 Million: Reach, Treat, Cure Everyone. The theme draws attention to the crucial need to continue our commitment to finding, diagnosing, treating and curing all people of TB and accelerating progress towards the bold goal of Ending TB by 2035.

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A PROMISE KEPT: THE SUN RISES IN ANAMBRA STATE “LIGHT OF THE NATION”

Anambra State – “Light of the Nation”, is located in South-East Nigeria. The State is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north. Anambra State has one of the highest population densities in Africa. The 2012 population projections estimates that there are about 249,206 pregnant women in the state (RHFA 2013). The state has the highest HIV prevalence in the South East region (8.7%), the fourth highest in the country, with about 20,328 pregnant women infected with the virus (2010 Sentinel Survey). Approximately one-third of pregnancies in HIV infected women will culminate in HIV transmission to the baby without effective “Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT)” of HIV/AIDS interventions. Based on its high prevalence, Anambra State was identified as one of the 12+1 states that contribute 70% of Nigeria’s “mother to child transmission (MTCT)” burden. In 2013, the 12+1 states were earmarked by the Government of Nigeria for phase 1 of Nigeria’s PMTCT scale-up efforts towards elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (eMTCT). (more…)

Raising the Bar in Laboratory Quality System Management: How one individual is making a difference in the public health delivery sector

The “Strengthening Integrated Delivery of HIV/AIDS Services (SIDHAS)” project is implemented by Family Health International (FHI360) and partners with funding support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project has worked assiduously to institute global standards across the various segments of Nigeria’s public health delivery sector. Towards realizing this objective, the SIDHAS project laboratory team commenced the implementation of key interventions aimed at strengthening quality systems management (QSM) of laboratories at selected public health facilities. The goal was to prepare the facilities for national and international accreditation using WHO AFRO recognition process. (more…)

Needles and Threads: The Enchanting Story of Hajara Yusuf

Hajara Yusuf lost her husband on 29th October, 2011. Before his untimely death, he worked with the State Ministry of Health, Bauchi as an office clerk. His death left Hajara with the responsibility of caring for thirteen (13) dependents from the little proceeds flowing from her farmland. Hajara remained resolute in her determination to survive the situation and fend for her children. She woke up each morning with the confidence that somehow, her life was going to get better. This confidence kept her going each day as she tilled the ground and watched for the heavenly showers to water her seedling. (more…)