By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has directed the Coordinating Minister of Heath and Social Welfare to provide the implementation plan and approvals granted by the National Assembly for the utilisation and expenditure of global fund and USAID grants.
This resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Philip Agbese “TO INVESTIGATE THE OVER $1.8 BILLION DOLLAR GRANT AND $2.8 BILLION RECEIVED BY NIGERIA FROM GLOBAL FUND AND USAID FROM 2021 TO 2025 FOR THE RESPONSE AGAINST HIV, TUBERCULOSIS, MALARIA AND FOR SUPPORTING RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS FOR HEALTH”, on Tuesday at plenary .
Debating the motion Rep. Agbese noted that Nigeria has received an estimated $1.8 Billion dollars in grants from Global Fund from 2021 to 2025 for the fight against HIV, TB and Malaria, in addition to over $2.8 Billion dollars received from USAID to cover health threats such as HIV, malaria, polio, and tuberculosis between 2022 and 2024.
The lawmakers further stated that the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, founded in January 22, 2002 as an independent, multilateral financing entity designed to raise a significant resource and accelerate efforts to end the HIV, TB, and malaria epidemics in the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
He added that Nigeria also received over $6 billion dollars in health assistance from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief from 2021 to 2025 to fight HIV/AIDS and build capacity of Health and community Systems.
Agbese explained that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social welfare is responsible for the utilization of the grants from USAID while the Country Coordinating Mechanism Nigeria is responsible for utilizing and implementing the Global Fund grants in Nigeria.
He expressed concern that with this huge investment in the Nation’s response to HIV, TB and Malaria, Nigeria still bears great burden on all these public health threats.
He said: “In 2023 approximately 15,000 AIDS-related deaths occurred among Nigerian children aged 0-14 years, while 51,000 AIDS-related deaths were recorded in the country with Nigeria ranking third globally in HIV deaths, and also with the highest number of HIV cases in West and Central Africa. In the area of TB Nigeria ranks first in Africa and sixth in the world accounting for 4.6% global TB burden, while Nigeria bears the highest malaria burden globally, accounting for an estimated 26.6% of global cases and 31% of malaria deaths.
“Also aware that the UN Sustainable Development Goal has established a target of 2030 for all nations to ensure the elimination of HIV, TB and Malaria in their Countries, for which if the status quo continues, Nigeria may likely not meet this target.
“Also concerned that there has not been a coordinated and robust oversight of the implementers of these grants received by the country by the National Assembly.
“Also aware that pursuant to Section 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the National Assembly or its committees have inherent powers to summon or request for documents from any government ministry, agency, parastatal or Non-governmental Agency for effective discharge of its mandate”.
The lawmakers feared that if a drastic move is not taken to reassess and reevaluate the utilization and implementation of these grants with the 8th replenishment in view, Nigeria may continue to suffer huge burdens and continue to lose our population to these diseases, thereby failing in the elimination of HIV, TB, and Malaria by year 2030.h
The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandate the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control to investigate the utilization of the grants received by Nigeria from 2021 to 2025 for the fight against HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
