Stop TB Partnership appoints Adewole board member

The Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole has been appointed into the Board of Stop Tuberculosis Board Partnership, the United Nation High Level Decision body making on TB.

The Board has the responsibility of building awareness at the highest level, identifying critical barriers in the TB space and facilitating consensus on strategy and policy –making.

It also oversees the effective implementation of the stop TB partnership’s Operation Strategy and Global Plan to end TB 2016-2020.

Adewole’s appointment is a reflection of his excellent leadership towards eliminating TB in Nigeria.

A strong advocate of TB detection and treatment, the minister recently initiated strategy toward ending TB menace in Nigeria. At the recent concluded National Council on Health meeting in Kano, the Minister recommended Tuberculosis (TB) screening as pre- medical test to newly employed public servants in both Federal and State Governments level and newly admitted students into Secondary and Tertiary Institutions in the country.

“I wish to advocate that mandatory TB screening be offered to both those who seek health care with or without symptoms/signs compatible with TB and those who do not” Adewole said.

Responding to the appointment, the Adewole said that “as I am honored to join the Stop TB Partnership’s Board, I will make sure the voice of high-burden countries and their people are heard and put all my energy in the efforts to stage a historical and game changing United Nation High Level Meeting on TB, as a turning point in the fight to end TB in Nigeria”

The appointment of Nigerian Minister of Health was alongside with the Minister of Health Kazakhstan, Dr. Elzhan A. Birtanoy. The two Ministers are to represent countries affected by TB in the Stop TB Partnership’s Board.

Meanwhile, the National Coordinator, National TB and Leprosy Control Programme in Nigeria, Dr. Adebola Lawanson has hailed the appointment, saying that it is a recognition of his hard work as well as support to TB control efforts / ending TB epidemics in Nigeria and globally.

Source: The Nation