TB Network Seeks Collaboration With DUFUTH to Strengthen Fight Against TB, HIV and Malaria

The SAVE (Society Advancement and Value Empowerment) Initiative, working under the TB Network National Office Abuja, has initiated a partnership with David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH) to strengthen the fight against Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and Malaria in Ebonyi State, as part of a broader national civil society intervention in Ohaozara Local Government Area.

The collaboration is aimed at boosting community-led health interventions and improving disease awareness, with a strong focus on Tuberculosis prevention, detection, and treatment.

A key component of the initiative is the deployment of an AI-enabled chatbot system designed to disseminate information on TB symptoms, prevention strategies, and treatment options. The tool is expected to be widely shared to enhance public health education within and beyond the hospital environment.

Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Uzoma Agwu, the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee on Research and Ethics, Dr. Peace Okoro, acknowledged the significance of the initiative and reaffirmed the hospital’s readiness to collaborate.

She noted that despite being a relatively young institution, DUFUTH has recorded notable progress with support from the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government.

“We are happy that our facility is one of the beneficiaries of this initiative,” she stated.

Dr. Okoro disclosed that the hospital’s Tuberculosis programme is already yielding results, with the GeneXpert diagnostic machine actively in use for rapid TB screening. According to her, several patients have been screened, with only a few confirmed positive cases, while the Department of Community Medicine continues to manage treatment using standard anti-TB protocols.

She further assured the delegation of DUFUTH’s full commitment to the initiative, including the provision of space, equipment, materials, and manpower to support testing and treatment activities. She also pledged collaboration with local government focal persons, coordinators, and federal stakeholders to ensure successful programme implementation.

Dr. Okoro commended the Department of Medical Laboratory Services for securing the GeneXpert machine and urged staff to actively utilize the AI chatbot link for broader community outreach. She also highlighted existing health insurance schemes such as EBSHA and CEmONC, which provide subsidized or free care for pregnant women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

Leading the delegation, Mr. Henry Omah of the TB Network National Office Abuja explained that the visit was part of supportive supervision under the Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) project. He said the engagement was also aimed at assessing the implementation level of SAVE Initiative activities in Ohaozara LGA.

Mr. Omah noted that while TB response at DUFUTH is encouraging due to available diagnostic capacity, there remain significant gaps in Malaria and HIV/AIDS response. He added that findings from the engagement would be escalated to national stakeholders, including malaria and HIV/AIDS constituencies, to strengthen intervention strategies using CLM tools such as data collection, patient interviews, and focus group discussions.

Speaking on behalf of SAVE Initiative, Mrs. Lorrieth Nwafor, State Programme Officer, said the collaboration would expand access to TB drugs and treatment services for affected communities. She encouraged patients facing financial constraints to enroll in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, while assuring sustained engagement with DUFUTH for programme continuity.

The meeting ended with renewed commitments from both parties to deepen collaboration in tackling communicable diseases and improving community health outcomes.