The Global TB Caucus, in collaboration with key partners such as the Stop TB Partnership Geneva, the Global Fund, FIND, Light Consortium, and WACI Health, has identified several strategies to eradicate Tuberculosis in Africa.
These strategies include ensuring adequate funding, fostering strong multi-sectoral partnerships, and promoting coordinated actions.
This was highlighted in a communique issued on Wednesday, following the conclusion of the 2024 fifth Africa TB summit at Nigeria’s National Assembly in Abuja.
The summit was organized with the support of the AIDS, TB, and Malaria Control Committee and brought together parliamentarians from 18 African countries, civil society organizations, experts, and development partners.
The participating countries included Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Building upon the commitments made during the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB, the summit aimed to update parliamentarians on the current TB situation in Africa.
It also sought to review progress toward achieving the UN HLM target for TB diagnosis and treatment by 2027.
The discussions emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration across African nations, better resource mobilization, and the development of effective policies to improve TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
One of the key outcomes was the adoption of the Abuja Statement on Financing to End TB in Africa.
This document, developed during the regional dialogue co-organized by the Stop TB Partnership, the African Union, and the Africa Parliamentary TB Caucus, outlines a strategic commitment that will be operationalized through the Global TB Caucus 2025 Roadmap for Africa.
The summit concluded with commitments from parliamentarians to intensify efforts to achieve the UN HLM’s goals, which include increased advocacy for both domestic and global funding. Other goals include leveraging innovative funding models, strengthening partnerships with civil society organizations, relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies, governments, and the private sector.
The importance of targeting vulnerable groups and investing in advanced diagnostics and Research and Development was also emphasized.
The summit’s objectives are aligned with the Global TB Caucus’s goal of enhancing legislative engagement through the launch of national caucuses and mobilizing MPs to drive public awareness, enact supportive laws, and advocate for increased TB funding while addressing TB-related stigma and discrimination.
Stephen Mule, a Member of Parliament from Kenya and Chair of the Africa TB Caucus, shared his optimism, stating, “We have witnessed 10 years of impact as the Global TB Caucus. We remain committed to ensuring we end TB by 2030. We as parliaments pledge our time and political influence until the battle is won.”
A Member of the Senate Bureau from Cameroon and co-chair of the Africa TB Caucus (Francophone), Dr. Pierre Flambeau Ngayap, congratulated Nigeria for its notable progress in combating TB.
He remarked, “We congratulate Nigeria on the remarkable progress in their fight against TB. This is evident in the display of high-level political will in the fight against TB in the country. The lessons learned from this summit both from participants and experts are valuable and I hope that the knowledge gained will support us in domesticating the advocacy priorities in our respective countries.”
A Member of Parliament from Namibia and co-chair of the Africa TB Caucus, Hon. Elma Dienda, also commended the advancements in TB treatment, particularly in diagnostic and treatment tools.
She said, “The technological advancements in the fight against TB, especially in the area of new tools, diagnostics, and treatment, are commendable and this goes to show that the goal to end TB is achievable.”
