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IHVN Set to Commemorate World TB Day 2024

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Every year, the world commemorates World Tuberculosis Day on March 24th to raise awareness about tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease. The global theme for this year’s activities is “Yes We Can End TB” with the national theme being, “Yes We Can End TB…No Gree for TB.”

Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) will be joining the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Program (NTBLCP) and other organizations for community outreaches, a road walk, press briefings, amongst other activities.

IHVN Director of Programs, Special Projects, Dr. Aderonke Agbaje, states that “219 out of every 100,000 Nigerians have tuberculosis and each person with tuberculosis could infect 12-14 close contacts in a year.”

Dr. Agbaje called on Nigerians to take advantage of the free tuberculosis services available at health facilities and through community outreaches.

“Nigerians should pay attention to the information being provided about their health. Walk to the nearest health facility, State Ministry of Health, or local government health service provider to seek information and to be properly directed to where they can get tuberculosis services,” she said.

To address tuberculosis in Nigeria, IHVN implements the USAID/Nigeria Tuberculosis Local Organization Network (TB-LON 3), a five-year project to scale up tuberculosis services and find missing TB cases. It started in April 2020 and is engaging stakeholders to strengthen a resilient system for sustainable TB control in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun states.

IHVN is also funded by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria as a Principal Recipient to implement the Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) grant. The grant is a combined effort for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV and is focused on ensuring early diagnosis of TB and HIV while providing comprehensive care for affected individuals. The grant, which runs from January 2024 to December 2026, will increase the provision of tuberculosis services in the community and through public-private partnerships. Other grant objectives include expanding HIV testing for all pregnant women in communities and strengthening laboratories and supply chain management.

Program Officer – Kano TBRL

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The Institute of Human Virology (IHVN) is a leading and reputable non-governmental organization addressing infectious and non-infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and cancer through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, capacity building, research, care, and support services. IHVN is in partnership with local and international organizations and the different tiers of the government of Nigeria at the national, state, and local levels. The Institute’s vision is to provide quality health services, capacity building, and research in West Africa and beyond.

The GF-TB Project seeks to improve access to diagnostic and treatment services by implementing intensified case-finding activities, undertaking diagnostic network optimization activities leveraging existing diagnostic services, optimal use of GeneXpert and other TB molecular diagnostic platforms for case detection, and private sector engagement.

IHVN is seeking a qualified candidate for the following position:

PositionProgram Officer-Kano TBRL
Reports ToHOD Lab.  GC7 TB/HIV Unit Heads
Operational ContactsRegional/State Manager Kano, GF Coordinator, and GF Project Director.
Scheduled Work TimeMonday – Friday (Flexibility, willing to travel and work weekends)
GrantGF-GC7
Employment TypeFull
LocationTBRL Kano
Number of PositionsOne

Opening Date: March 14, 2024

Closing Date:  March 28, 2024

Position Overview

The Program Officer Kano TBRL has the requisite tuberculosis technical expertise and is skilled in TB diagnostics. She/He will be required to coordinate and provide technical guidance to the TB Reference Laboratories. She/He will liaise with the relevant National and State TB program stakeholders.

Responsibilities

  • Perform the following TB diagnostic tests: GeneXpert, Truenat, TB-LAMP, LF-LAM, Genotypic tests (Molecular Line Probe Assay for 1st and 2nd line assays) and phenotypic tests (TB Culture, Drug Susceptibility Testing)
  • Coordinate the TB Logistic Management System in the Reference Laboratory
  • Provide Technical Assistance to staff at the TB Reference Laboratory
  • Adhere to the Quality Management System to enhance laboratory quality systems, encompassing the creation of a quality manual, safety manual, audits, testing, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and partner with the National Tuberculosis Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) Laboratory Team to develop national documents.
  • Support TB reference laboratories to attain international laboratory standards towards accreditation using the Global Laboratory Initiative’s (GLI) stepwise process towards accreditation with other tools and checklists for implementing quality management systems.
  • Conduct capacity building on mycobacteriology.
  • Collaborate with the relevant stakeholders to ensure prompt sample movement from facility and community levels to the testing laboratories, and results retrieval.
  • Collate and review facility reports (site visits, monthly/quarterly narrative, data, mentoring and supervision, etc.)
  • Flag and report TB laboratory challenges and follow up on the execution of prompt interventions.
  • Perform every other duty necessary for the successful implementation of laboratory activities of IHVN.
  • Ensure timely submission of laboratory deliverables and reports.
  • Collate/review the GeneXpert QRRIF report/ensure distribution of cartridges.
  • Summarize mentoring and supervision reports; collate finalized TB Reference laboratory’s deliverables.
  • Keep an inventory of, and manage TB laboratory supplies, providing support to the Headquarters Supply Chain Management team to create a list of supplies for procurement.

Required Competencies

  1. Core requirements:
    1. Ability to supervise and mentor others.
    1. Strong interpersonal skills.
    1. Fluent in verbal and written English.
    1. Ability to communicate well.
    1. Basic computer skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint proficiency.
    1. Ability to work independently and consistently to produce timely and high-quality work.
    1. A team player.
    1. Proficient in high impact influencing and persuasive techniques, able to represent the organization to donors and other stakeholders.
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of guidelines and policies related to TB molecular diagnostic laboratories.
  • Education and Experience:
  • Academic training: Should possess B.MLS or its equivalent with a current practicing license from the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria
  • A Master’s degree in Public Health or its equivalent is an added advantage.
  • Experience: At least three years of experience working with TB diagnostic laboratory

Equal employment opportunity statement:

IHVN is an equal employment employer. We do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable laws.

Mode of Application:

Please submit your application letter and detailed curriculum vitae as one single Microsoft Word document to the Assistant Director, Human Resources, through this email address: [email protected].

Program Officer-Amachara Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (TBRL)

Author admin Posted on

The Institute of Human Virology (IHVN) is a leading and reputable non-governmental organization addressing infectious and non-infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and cancer through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, capacity building, research, care, and support services. IHVN is in partnership with local and international organizations and the different tiers of the government of Nigeria at the national, state, and local levels. The Institute’s vision is to provide quality health services, capacity building, and research in West Africa and beyond.

The GF-TB Project seeks to improve access to diagnostic and treatment services by implementing intensified case-finding activities, undertaking diagnostic network optimization activities leveraging existing diagnostic services, optimal use of GeneXpert and other TB molecular diagnostic platforms for case detection, and private sector engagement.

IHVN is seeking qualified candidates for the following positions:

PositionProgram Officer-Amachara Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (TBRL)
Reports ToHOD Lab.  GC7 TB/HIV Unit Heads
Operational ContactsRegional Manager Delta, GF Coordinator, and GF Project Director.
Scheduled Work TimeMonday – Friday (Flexibility, willing to travel and work weekends)
GrantGF-GC7
Employment TypeFull
LocationTBRL Amachara, Abia State
Number of PositionsOne

Opening Date: March 14, 2024

Closing Date: March 28, 2024

Position Overview

The Program Officer Amachara TBRL has the requisite tuberculosis technical expertise and is skilled in TB diagnostics. She/He will be required to coordinate and provide technical guidance to the TB Reference Laboratories. She/He will liaise with the relevant National and State TB program stakeholders.

Responsibilities

  • Perform the following TB diagnostic tests: GeneXpert, Truenat, TB-LAMP, LF-LAM, Genotypic tests (Molecular Line Probe Assay for 1st and 2nd line assays) and phenotypic tests (TB Culture, Drug Susceptibility Testing).
  • Coordinate the TB Logistic Management System in the reference laboratory.
  • Provide technical assistance to the other staff at the TB reference laboratory.
  • Adhere to the Quality Management System to enhance laboratory quality systems, encompassing the creation of a quality manual, safety manual, audits, testing, and the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), and partner with the NTBLCP Laboratory Team to develop national documents.
  • Support TB reference laboratories to attain international laboratory standards towards accreditation using the Global Laboratory Initiative’s (GLI) stepwise process towards accreditation with other tools and checklists for implementing quality management systems.
  • Conduct capacity building on mycobacteriology.
  • Collaborate with the relevant stakeholders to ensure prompt sample movement from facility and community levels to the testing laboratories and results retrieval.
  • Collate and review facility reports (site visits, monthly/quarterly narrative, data, mentoring and supervision, etc.)
  • Flag and report TB laboratory challenges and follow up the execution of prompt interventions.
  • Perform every other duty necessary for the successful implementation of laboratory activities of IHVN.
  • Ensure timely submission of laboratory deliverables and reports.
  • Collate/review the GeneXpert QRRIF report/ensure distribution of cartridges.
  • Summarize mentoring and supervision reports; collate finalized TB Reference laboratory’s deliverables.
  • Keep an inventory of and manage TB laboratory supplies, providing support to the headquarters Supply Chain Management team to create a list of supplies for procurement.

Required competencies

  1. Core requirements:
    1. Ability to supervise and mentor others
    1. Strong interpersonal skills
    1. Fluent in verbal and written English
    1. Ability to communicate well
    1. Basic computer skills: proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
    1. Ability to work independently and consistently to produce timely and high-quality work
    1. A team player
    1. Proficient in high-impact influencing and persuasive techniques, able to represent the organization to donors and other stakeholders.
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of guidelines and policies related to TB molecular diagnostic laboratories.
  • Education and Experience:
  • Academic training: Should possess B.MLS or its equivalent with a current practicing license from the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria.
  • A Master’s degree in Public Health or its equivalent is an added advantage.
  • Experience: At least three years of experience working with TB diagnostic laboratory

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

IHVN is an equal employment employer. We do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable laws.

Mode of Application:

Please submit your application letter and detailed curriculum vitae as one single Microsoft Word document to the Assistant Director, Human Resources, through this email address: [email protected].

EQUAL Research Reveals Factors Impacting Maternal Health in Yobe State

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Findings from the Ensuring Quality Access and Learning for Mothers and Newborns in Conflict-Affected Contexts (EQUAL) project being implemented by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) have shown that gender, cultural, and religious beliefs affect care seeking for mothers and their babies.

EQUAL Principal Investigator in Nigeria, Dr. Emilia Iwu stated this at an event in Abuja organized by the project to disseminate research findings from key informant interviews and literature reviews.

“EQUAL project is funded by the UK International Development from the UK Government. The research is working to generate evidence on effective approaches for delivering life-saving maternal and newborn health (MNH) in countries affected by conflict. The duration of the project being conducted in Yobe State is from July 2021 to April 2026,” she said.

She added that findings have revealed that women encounter violence, sexual abuse, and limited healthcare access resulting in preventable maternal deaths and psychological stress.

“While MNH services are generally accepted, cultural norms such as women requiring spousal permission to access medical care and the religious beliefs that home births are divinely sanctioned hinder the timely seeking of maternal and newborn health services,” Dr. Iwu said.   

She noted that despite existing maternal newborn health policies and initiatives in Yobe State, persistent challenges such as inadequate funding, equipment and health workers hinder effective implementation of the policies.

Dr. Iwu urged the government and partners to increase funding dedicated to free medical care to address inadequate financing and capped number of beneficiaries.

“Boko Haram insurgency in Yobe State has disrupted MNH services. There has been destruction of health care facilities, theft of medical equipment, displacement of staff, heightened risks of abduction and murder of health care workers.”

The Principal Investigator said that addressing determinants of care seeking through investments in the health system, creation of awareness, social behavior change and improved quality and coverage of care will improve access to health services by women and children.

Assistant Director of Education at the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Mr. Tinbuak Yanai, who was also at the dissemination event, said that “Proper training and scaling up of training of health care workers will improve the health of mothers and newborn babies in Yobe state.”

Stakeholders from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), International Rescue Committee (IRC), Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), USAID, Integrated Health Program (IHP) and others participated in the dissemination event.

The EQUAL consortium consists of partners such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), the John Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health, the Somali Research and Development Institute (SORDI), and the Catholic University of Bukavu (UCB).

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