The private sector engagement forum by The Global Fund, Country Coordinating Mechanism and other stakeholders held Thursday 8th July 2010 at Protea Lekki Hotel, Oakwood Park, Lagos opened with appreciation to the private sector by Onyeka Onwenu,  Nigerian ace broadcaster and musician.

Ms. Onwenu expressed gratitude for the involvement of Corporate Nigeria in the effort to reduce the impact of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM) and emphasized that private partnership is key to solving societal problems and failure to do so may affect the wellbeing of many Nigerian citizens who form the greater part of the Nigerian workforce. She further called for more concern for those at the grassroots.  She shared her experience in Kenya and praised the country for her sense of responsibility and commitment. Onyeka ended her remarks with a charge, “do it because it is the right and only thing to do.”

Mr. John Jinung, Chairman of Civil Society Consultative Group on HIV/AIDS (CiSCGHAN) was full of praises to the Global Fund for having committed so much over the years into the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. He was full of expectations that the meeting with the private sector will provide the necessary platform for meaningful collaboration in order to achieve a common goal.

Dr. David Evans of Global Fund said the vision of Global Fund is to bring all stakeholders together to fight AIDS, Malaria and TB. He said that there is a huge potential for engaging with the private sector and went further to say 1.3 billion dollars has been approved for Nigeria which is large amount of financial flow. Dr Evans said Global Fund in Nigeria is doing a great job but will deliver more benefits if they work closely with the private sector.

The CEO of Friends Africa, Dr. Akudo Ikemba, welcomed all Chief Executives and  participants. She said the event is meant to provide a platform that will provide clear indicators of the involvement of the private sector. She said that the meeting is funded by the United Nations with Support from NACA, NiBUCA, Global Fund, Federal Ministry of Health (NASCAP) and this she said, is among the series of programmes geared towards involvement of the private sector, which she said is similar to the ones held in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda. She said the meeting is aimed at preparing Africa to bear the burden of these diseases.

Dr Akudo explained that Friends Africa is providing the Public Private Partners the entry point for participation. Friends Africa, she said, is a global network with friends in Europe, America and Africa engaged in mobilizing support from African governments to fight Malaria, AIDS and TB. She further highlighted the following:

• Government has slightly increased funding which needs to be appreciated.
• Grassroot NGOs are doing excellently well but there is a gap
• Africans in Africa need more resources
• There is need to increase the quality of proposals for ATM
• There is barrier in meeting the target
• There is need for increase in advocacy at all levels
• Technical assistance is required in all areas
• There is need for documentation of all activities

NACA Director-General, Professor John Idoko, said this kind of partnership is needed to drive the development of ATM forward. He said 60% of deaths can be related to ATM and therefore called for necessary link between the public and private sectors. He went further to say that the public sector knows clearly the exigency of the private sector and that he has no doubt that the partnership will produce the desired results.

The Honorable Minister of Health, Professor Christian Onyebuchi said there is need to recognize individuals and corporate bodies who are spending time, money and their talents in ensuring good health to the Nigerian populace. Professor Onyebuchi said the emphasis should be on what you have been able to do with Global Fund and what you are going to do with the private partnership. He said Nigeria pledged 10 million US dollars which is in the process of being redeemed and more is still expected. He said the goal of this partnership is to eradicate ATM in Nigeria and it is important that Nigeria claim ownership of the entire process of achieving set goals.

A question and answer session moderated by Professor Idoko addressed a number of issues. This was followed by a breakout session on HIV/TB/Malaria moderated by NACA, NMCP and NLTBCP. Extensive deliberations were made and a resolution was passed that Friends Africa should follow-up with the CEOs of the private sectors involved in the partnership in order to extract firm commitment to the project.  As part of the follow-up, a dinner is planned for the CEOs of the private companies for further discussions.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from Dr Akudo Ikemba of Friends Africa to United Nations Foundation for funding the meeting and all partners.