Health: Stakeholders Lament Poor Funding Of TB In Cross River

By Godwin Ajom

Experts in Cross River State have expressed concern over the inadequate funding for Tuberculosis (TB), pyloric ulcer, and leprosy, despite a budget allocation of N32 million, which remained unreleased as of July 2024.

The state’s overall health budget for 2024 stands at N8.17 billion, comprising only 11.11% of the total annual budget of N296.9 billion, according to recent data. The Human Rights Watch Report from April 2024 notes that this figure falls short of the global standard of 15%. However, with Governor Otu’s signing of the 2024 supplementary budget, there is hope that the health budget percentage will increase slightly.

This situation has raised alarms among health sector experts and advocates working to eradicate TB. They warn that foreign donors are experiencing funding fatigue, which could severely impact the fight against TB.

The state government has faced criticism for its lack of effective financial contributions to the TB fight over the past decade, despite consistent budget allocations.

Dr. Jonah Bassey Offor, Cross River State’s Director of Public Health, voiced his concerns at the Fund TB cluster training in Calabar, organized by Project Alert through the Center for Health Works Development and Research Initiative. He emphasized that while most TB funding comes from foreign donors, the state has failed to release allocated funds for TB programs. He called the allocated money to be released.

Mr. Felix Ukam, Executive Director of the Center for Health Works Development and Research Initiative, stressed the urgency for the government to prioritize TB funding.

“This year we have a total of N32 million for the three diseases which are Tuberculosis, Pyloric Ulcer and Leprosy jointly funded in the budget; So our concern is that even though the government is doing enough with their own capacity, the season of sweetness should translate to releasing at least some money for Tuberculosis programs. And that Tuberculosis should have a special budget on its own, rather than summing it up. Nobody knows whether it is for tuberculosis or leprosy or bolo ulcer. So let’s have it separated.”

Stakeholders also urged private organizations to support TB initiatives through Corporate Social Responsibility and called on life insurance companies to provide coverage for TB survivors in the state.