Africa Unites in the Fight Against Tuberculosis: Key Outcomes from the 5th Africa TB Summit

The 5th Africa TB Summit convened in Nigeria's National Assembly, bringing together parliamentarians from 18 African countries, civil society organizations, experts, and development partners.

Hosted by the Global TB Caucus in collaboration with Stop TB Partnership Geneva, The Global Fund, FIND, and other partners, the summit aimed to accelerate the fight against tuberculosis (TB) through legislative action, resource mobilization, and cross-border collaboration.

The summit emphasized enhancing domestic funding, scaling up advanced diagnostics, addressing social determinants of TB, and fostering multi-sectoral partnerships.

The adoption of the Abuja Statement on Financing to End TB in Africa marked a significant milestone, outlining strategies for sustainable funding and legislative engagement.

Key Outcomes and Pledges

Participants committed to increasing advocacy, leveraging innovative funding models, and prioritizing vulnerable groups.

The focus also extended to advancing TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment while tackling stigma and discrimination.

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Expert and Parliamentarian Voices

Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, Chair of Nigeria’s AIDS, TB, and Malaria Control Committee, stressed:

"Parliamentarians are the bridge between commitments and action. We must hold ourselves accountable to drive TB eradication efforts."

Hon. Stephen Mule from Kenya, Chair of the Africa TB Caucus, pledged sustained efforts:

"We remain committed to ending TB by 2030. Parliaments will leverage their political influence until the battle is won."

Focus on Innovation and Funding

Dr. Sarabjit Singh Chadha of FIND highlighted the importance of diagnostics:

"Expanding access to advanced diagnostics is essential for timely TB detection and treatment."

Peter Sands, Executive Director of The Global Fund, emphasized investment needs:

"Africa has made remarkable strides in reducing TB deaths. Sustained investments in innovative diagnostics and treatments are essential to maintain momentum."

Assoc. Prof. Toyosi Adekeye of The Light Consortium called for inclusive approaches:

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"Addressing stigma and adopting gender-responsive interventions will ensure no one is left behind in the fight against TB."

James Malar of Stop TB Partnership Geneva urged legislative action:

"Scaling up community-driven initiatives and reducing stigma are vital. Parliamentarians must prioritize TB in national agendas."

Hon. Virginie Dolama of Congo stressed local funding:

"We must mobilize domestic funds to take care of our population. External funding is crucial, but we cannot depend on it indefinitely."

Hon. Christopher Kalila of Zambia called for unity:

"This regional platform for knowledge sharing must be sustained to strengthen cross-border collaborations for an effective TB response."

The summit concluded with renewed commitments to achieve the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting (HLM) TB targets and end TB by 2030.

The Global TB Caucus announced plans to operationalize these goals through the *2025 Roadmap for Africa*, ensuring that TB remains a legislative and public health priority across the continent.

Source: Legit.ng