Page 7 - INSIDE ACCESS

SUSTAINABILITY CORNER
The Role of Corporates in Addressing Key Health Challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a massive disruption to the health sector, which has caused huge socio-economic consequences and requires government commitment to improve health facilities. It has become germane, to increase commitment and support to the sector during this pandemic as it is having a serious impact on the most vulnerable communities worldwide. The pandemic also threatens progress on HIV, TB, malaria and vaccinations and other areas of health as all focus has been shifted towards fighting Coronavirus.
A recent Global Fund report, found that COVID-19 could cause deaths from these three diseases to nearly double in 12 months unless immediate steps are taken to mitigate the effect of the pandemic on the three diseases. This would mean that the annual death toll for the three diseases could revert to levels close to the peak of the epidemics, threatening decades of progress. The report suggests that US$28.5 billion is
required over the next 12 months to adapt HIV, TB and malaria programs to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. It will also help efforts to train and protect health workers, reinforce systems for health and to respond to COVID-19 itself through testing, contact tracing and treatment of confirmed cases.
Speaking during the Global Business Coalition on AIDS/HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBCHealth) webinar held on July 16, 2020, Omobolanle Victor- Laniyan, Head Sustainability, Access Bank Plc, said that Access Bank is working diligently to combat Coronavirus in Nigeria through the establishment of the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), a coalition of Nigerian private sector leaders who have come together to galvanize urgent support in the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria. Buttressing the importance of partnerships in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and most particularly Nigeria's health gaps as the pandemic brings to the
fore the essence of public-private partnerships.
She said “According to the WHO in 2018, there were 228 million cases of malaria and 405,000 deaths worldwide with 93 per cent of these cases and 94 per cent of all deaths in the African region. As a result of COVID-19, UNAIDS reports that the disruption in HIV treatment could cause more than 500,000 additional deaths from AIDS- related diseases.”
“At Access Bank, our commitment to improving the health space remains unwavering and critical to us especially at this time. As such, we have renewed our efforts to address and provide support for the implementation of HIV and malaria programs”. She added. “Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we provided succor to vulnerable groups including the physically challenged, widows, elderly citizens and HIV/AIDS patients. Also, we are at the forefront of the launch of the HIV trust Fund of Nigeria, geared towards increasing private sector funding to HIV response.” She concluded.
PAGE 7 INSIDE ACCESS | AUGUST 2020 3RD EDITION