The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has handed over a tuberculosis (TB) situation room to the Lagos state government to enhance TB data management and decision-making capabilities.

The facility, located inside the Global Fund Grant Management Unit Office space at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic in Alausa-Ikeja, was inaugurated on Friday in Lagos.

The initiative was carried out in partnership with the Tuberculosis Data, Impact Assessment and Communications Hub (TB DIAH) project.

Speaking at the unveiling, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, permanent secretary, Lagos state ministry of health, said that quality data was important in effective health programming.

Mr Ogboye said that in spite of numerous review meetings, data issues persisted, making it challenging to plan, make decisions, and evaluate outcomes.

“Data quality and timeliness are crucial for decision-making,” he said.

The permanent secretary expressed enthusiasm about the TB situation room, which would provide real-time access to high-quality data and aid in the state’s overall health strategy.

He also addressed the broader vision for the incident room, advocating for a unified approach to data management across various diseases.

“We are not just looking at TB; we need an incident room where we plug in data for all diseases,” Mr Ogboye said.

He said that the integrated approach was expected to optimise resource use and improve overall health management in the state.

Mr Ogboye commended USAID for the support, expressing optimism that the situation room would enhance health outcomes in the state.

Similarly, Omosalewa Oyelaran, acting office director for HIV/AIDS and TB at USAID, highlighted the collaborative efforts between the U.S. government and Lagos state.

Ms Oyelaran lauded the Lagos state government for its commitment to data-driven health strategies.

“In 2022, Lagos State identified 5,975 TB cases, contributing 3 per cent to the national total,” she said.

Ms Oyelaran said that the TB situation room would streamline data collection and visualisation, aiding various stakeholders in making informed decisions and enhancing TB case finding and monitoring.

Also, Dr Abiodun Hassan, project director, TB DIAH, said that the new situation room was designed to unify data from various disease programmes, ensuring more comprehensive and effective management.

Mr Hassan commended the Lagos state government for adopting the dynamic platform, saying that it would improve feedback loops and enhance programme quality.

Also speaking, Dr Labaran Shehu, national coordinator, TB/Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme, called for sustained commitment to the innovative TB situation room.

Mr Shehu, represented by Dr Olakunle Daramola, head, TB/HIV Unit, federal ministry of health, stressed the importance of ownership and sustainability to maximise the benefits of the investment.

He said that the initiative aligned with the national health agenda and had the potential to significantly impact policy-making and health outcomes.

The TB situation room has state-of-the-art technology and sustainability features, including solar power, to ensure continuous operation and investment aimed at being self-sustaining with minimal government cost.

The facility is equipped with the latest technologies to ensure efficient and effective data management, enhancing the state’s ability to respond to health challenges swiftly and accurately.

The inauguration of the TB situation room in Lagos is part of a broader initiative, with similar infrastructure being established in other states, including Osun, Anambra, and Kano.

USAID anticipates these situation rooms will enhance TB response analytics and strategic coordination nationwide.

(NAN)