In a bid to ensure the wellbeing of the citizenry, the House of Representatives Committee on HIV AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM) has canvassed for the allocation of one percent of the Consolidated Revenue of the Federal Government to tackle HIV/AIDS and other public health diseases.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rep Amobi Ogah, who briefed his colleagues at the end of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and House ATM Committee retreat held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Tuesday, explained that the decision followed a careful analysis of NACA’s capacity, performance, and experience, and for the sustenance of the fight against all public health diseases and to reduce over-dependence on foreign aid.
Stating that there is a lack of coordination of efforts and responses to public health diseases, he stressed the need to amend the NACA Establishment Act of 2007 to restructure NACA into a multi-sector agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria that will coordinate responses to HIV/AIDS and other public health threats such as Viral Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer, Leprosy, and Malaria.
He reiterated the committee’s commitment towards reviewing the Anti-Discrimination Act of 2014 to ensure relevance and to further the dialogue on stigmatisation of patients who suffer from these diseases.
Among decisions taken at the retreat held recently in Lagos with the theme “Leadership for Sustainability of the HIV Response – The Role of the Legislature” were the need to provide legislative interventions that will facilitate the domestic production of HIV drugs and commodities, thereby promoting local content within the sector.
It includes the call on all Non-Governmental Agencies and Other Non-State Actors who are working in the sector to register with NACA or the new agency and subject themselves to oversight by the National Assembly to promote accountability, transparency, and national security and sovereignty of our nation.
Besides, it entails the need to empower NACA to hold international and local partners more accountable for multi-sectoral interventions in Nigeria.
Calling for more interface and engagement with NACA for improved synergy and continuous information sharing on multi-sectoral coordination and management of HIV and other related diseases, he stressed the need for more capacity building mechanisms and attendance at HIV/AIDS conferences for enhanced knowledge of global best practices and innovations.
The objectives of the retreat were to foster the commitment of the legislators to the ownership and sustainability of the HIV response and to facilitate the effectiveness of the HIV response coordination and oversight.
In attendance were Hon. Abubakar Zango Baba, 27 House committee members, key members of the Taraba State House of Assembly, commissioners, and permanent secretaries of the Ministries of Health, Finance, Budget, and Planning and the Taraba State Health Insurance Agency.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhamad Ali Pate, was represented by Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, the National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Hepatitis, and STI Control Programme (NASCP). Also in attendance were Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director General, NACA, Dr. Oniyire Adetiloye, Country Director, JHPIEGO, Dr. Leo Zekeng, Country Director of UNAIDS, and other senior government functionaries and partners.
The post Lawmakers seek 1% revenue allocation for HIV, others appeared first on Guardian Nigeria News.
