Agency The United States Agency for International Development has completed and handed over a Tuberculosis situation room to the Lagos State Government, to enhance TB data management and decision-making capabilities. The facility, located inside the Global Fund Grant Management Unit Office space at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic in Alausa-Ikeja, was inaugurated on Friday in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the initiative was carried out in partnership with the Tuberculosis Data, Impact Assessment and Communications Hub project.
Speaking at the unveiling, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, said that quality data was important in effective health programming. He said that in spite of numerous review meetings, data issues persisted; making it challenging to plan, make decisions, and evaluate outcomes. Ogboye further added that data quality and timeliness are crucial for decision-making.
The permanent secretary expressed enthusiasm about the TB Situation Room, noting that it would provide real-time access to high-quality data and aid in the state’s overall health strategy. He also addressed the broader vision for the incident room, advocating for a unified approach to data management across various diseases. “We are not just looking at TB; we need an incident room where we plug in data for all diseases,” Ogboye said.
He said that the integrated approach was expected to optimise resource use and improve overall health management in the state. Ogboye commended USAID for the support, expressing optimism that the situation room would enhance health outcomes in the state. Similarly, the Acting Office Director for HIV/AIDS and TB at USAID, Omosalewa Oyelaran, highlighted the collaborative efforts between the U.
S. government and Lagos State. He lauded the Lagos State Government for its commitment to data-driven health strategies, adding, “In 2022, Lagos State identified 5,975 TB cases, contributing 3 per cent to the national total.
” Oyelaran noted that the TB situation room would streamline data collection and visualisation, aiding various stakeholders in making informed decisions and enhancing TB case finding and monitoring. Also, the Project Director, TB DIAH, Dr Abiodun Hassan, explained that the new situation room was designed to unify data from various disease programmes, ensuring more comprehensive and effective management. He commended the Lagos State Government for adopting the dynamic platform, saying that it would improve feedback loops and enhance programme quality.
National Coordinator, TB/Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme, Dr Labaran Shehu, called for sustained commitment to the innovative TB situation room. Represented by the Head, TB/HIV Unit, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Olakunle Daramola, he stressed the importance of ownership and sustainability to maximise the benefits of the investment. Shehu said that the initiative aligned with national health agenda and has the potential to significantly impact policy-making and health outcomes.
NAN reports that the TB situation room has state-of-the-art technology and sustainability features, including solar power to ensure continuous operation and investment aimed at self-sustaining with minimal government cost. The facility is equipped with the latest technologies to ensure efficient and effective data management, thus, enhancing the state’s ability to respond to health challenges swiftly and accurately. The inauguration of the TB situation room in Lagos is part of a broader initiative, with similar infrastructure being established in other states, including Osun, Anambra, and Kano.
USAID anticipates that these situation rooms will enhance TB response analytics and strategic coordination nationwide. (NAN) Tags Global Fund Grant Management HIV/AIDS TB Situation Room Tuberculosis Data - Impact Assessment and Communications Hub projec United States Agency for International Development USAID.
