ASR Africa, USAID Deliver 10 DOTS Centres to Curb Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS  

Dike  Onwuamaeze

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has completed the renovation of 10 Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) centres in identified Primary Health Care centers in seven states in Nigeria.

The ASR Africa, which is a leading philanthropic organisation committed to delivering sustainable impact in health, education, and social development across the continent of Africa, renovated these centres under its HIV/TB Intervention Support programme.

It said that with a donation of $500,000 drawn from the ASR Africa’s Fund for Social Development and Renewal, the partnership objectives included curbing tuberculosis (TB) and HIV in Nigeria and addressing Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) through supporting survivors with the provision of dignity kits in USAID-supported Sexual Assault Response Centres (SARCs).

Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of ASR Africa, Mr. Abdul Samad Rabiu, at the handover ceremony in Akinyele Primary Health Centre, Alimosho, Lagos, the Managing Director/CEO of ASR Africa, Dr. Ubon Udoh, applauded the USAID team for their intervention and their partnership with the government of Nigeria in the eradication of tuberculosis in the country.

Udoh commended the governments of Kano, Rivers, Katsina, Bauchi, Anambra, Oyo, and Lagos States, and the respective agencies who worked to deliver on the project’s success.

He noted that with the installation of the TB machines, over 22,108 samples have already been taken in all the centres combined, out of which confirmed positive cases are receiving expert medical treatment.

Udoh reiterated the commitment of the chairman of ASR Africa in investing resources towards tackling pressing developmental issues in health, education, and social development in Africa.

On her part, the Mission Director, USAID Nigeria, Ms. Anne Patterson, who was represented by the Deputy Director, HIV/TB Office, USAID Nigeria, Ms. Omosalewa Oyelaran, thanked the Executive Chairman of BUA Group and Founder of ASR Africa, Mr.  Abdul Samad Rabiu, for collaborating with the USAID and invigorating the fight against Tuberculosis and HIV in Nigeria.   

Patterson added that the partnership with ASR Africa Initiative has provided critical support to reducing the burden of the disease and ensure a better quality of life for those affected.

The Director of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Development, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, described the donation of equipment to National TBL Control Programme of Federal Ministry of Health by the ASR Africa through collaboration with USAID as a history making event that would facilitate the attainment of vision of Nigeria free TB by 2030.

Anyaike said:  “This donation of equipment and renovation of the DOTs center will enhance our drive towards achieving the set targets by 2030. We are indeed grateful to ASR Africa, especially as it aligns with renewed health agenda of the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.

“I want to specially appreciate USAID and ASR Africa for making this event a reality and for all their support.”

The Chairperson of Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area (MOLCDA), Hon. Olabisi Adebayo, said: “I would like to appreciate ASR Africa for bringing this health facility close to us to enable our people to access quick diagnosis and treatment.

“We will take ownership of this facility and embark on advocacy exercises within the LCDA to ensure proper education about the danger of tuberculosis and the available treatment courtesy of ASR Africa”.

It would be recalled that the $500,000 donation by ASR Africa was utilised for the provision of 11 loop-mediated isothermal amplification diagnostic machines, also known as TB-LAMPs, laboratory reagents and consumables, as well as 1,200 dignity kits for survivors of gender-based violence across selected states in Nigeria.

 Part of the donation was also used for the renovation of 10 tuberculosis DOTS’ centers in seven states in Nigeria.

The ASR Africa is the brainchild of Rabiu, an African industrialist, philanthropist, and chairman of BUA Group. It was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting health, education, and social development in Africa.