CSO urges immediate restoration of stock-out of HIV test kits in some Taraba PHCs

‎By Godwin Agia, Jalingo
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‎The Association of Civil Society Organizations in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has raised concern over the stock-out of HIV test kits and Malaria Commodities in some Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across Taraba State.
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‎ACOMIN State Chairman, Alhaji Tanko Muhammad Danburam raised the concern on Thursday during an advocacy visit to the Taraba State AIDS Control Agency and the State Logistics Management Coordination (LMC).
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‎Danburam explained that the advocacy visit was aimed at addressing identified gaps in malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV service delivery across the state.
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‎He noted that ACOMIN is currently implementing the Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) project in nine local government areas, covering 18 primary health care facilities, where communities are empowered to generate evidence and advocate for improvements in healthcare services.
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‎According to him, community monitoring conducted between June and July 2026 revealed that several health facilities providing Antenatal Care (ANC) services were unable to conduct routine HIV screening due to the unavailability of HIV test kits.
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‎”At Bakin-Dutse MDG Clinic in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, ANC services are available, but HIV screening is not being conducted. Similar gaps were identified at Wuro Chedo PHC in Ardo-Kola, Garlea MDG Clinic and Lanko PHC in Yorro Local Government Area, as well as Mararaba Gassol PHC in Gassol Local Government Area,” he said.
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‎Danburam stressed that the shortage of HIV test kits is denying pregnant women and other clients access to early HIV diagnosis and timely linkage to treatment, thereby increasing the risk of mother-to-child transmission and undermining HIV prevention efforts.
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‎Responding, the State LMC Coordinator, Pharm. Frank Ada, assured the delegation that the issues raised would be investigated and appropriate steps taken to restore the supply of HIV test kits to the affected facilities.
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‎Also speaking, the Secretary of the Taraba State AIDS Control Agency (TACA), Mr. Isaac Bala Zungyeri, pledged to escalate the matter to the appropriate authorities for urgent intervention.
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‎He commended ACOMIN for its community-driven approach to identifying service delivery gaps through Community-Led Monitoring and assured the delegation of the agency’s commitment to working with partners to address the challenges.
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