Tuberculosis Network decries shortages of ACTs/ITNs in Zamfara PHCs

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

The TB network team has embarked on advocacy tour with a view to addressing reported gaps in the availability of essential malaria commodities, particularly artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) for pregnant women and children in selected primary healthcare facilities across Zamfara State.

Speaking during advocacy visit to Communication and Social Mobilization Officer of Zamfara State Ministry of Health (ACSMO), the State Programme Officer (SPO) TB network, Yahaya Muhammad, who led the team, said the engagement was to present findings emerging from community-led monitoring activities, seek clarification from the relevant malaria programme authority, and advocate for timely action to ensure continuous availability of malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment commodities.

On presentations by the ATM networks while presenting the key concerns, the SPO explained that the primary purpose of the visit was to raise concerns regarding reported shortages of malaria commodities in some PHCs across the State.

The team noted that inadequate availability of essential malaria treatment commodities could negatively affect the ability of health facilities to provide timely and effective treatment to clients diagnosed with malaria.

The SPO emphasized the importance of ensuring uninterrupted availability of essential malaria commodities, particularly at the primary healthcare level, where many community members access malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.

The team stressed the importance of ensuring timely distribution and availability of ITNs as a preventive intervention, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Responding, Mr. Muhammad Kabir Auwal ACSMO/SMEP, acknowledged that, there were shortages of malaria testing kits in some PHCs, clarifying that, according to information available to the programme, there was no current general shortage of malaria treatment drugs.

Mr. Auwal explained that the Ministry had recently distributed malaria commodities worth millions of naira to health facilities across the state, assuring that the second and third batches of malaria commodities would be distributed soon, which is expected to further strengthen commodity availability at supported facilities.

He further noted that distribution would be guided by established eligibility criteria to ensure that the nets reach the intended beneficiaries. He commended the SAT for its accountability-focused approach and commitment to identifying and raising community-level service delivery concerns.

Meanwhile, reflecting parts of the July activities of the network in the state, the SAT of the ATM Network, led by the Deputy State Coordinator of the TB Network, Malam Abdullahi Lawal Bungudu while on advocacy visit to the Director of Planning, Zamfara State Ministry of Education, provided an overview of the Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (iCLM) grant, highlighting its objectives, implementation approach, and its role in promoting accountability and improving the quality of TB, HIV/AIDS, and Malaria (ATM) services.

According to Bungudu, purpose of the visit was prompted by a challenge encountered by one of the implementing Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) during community entry activities in Kaura Local Government Area, the SAT sought the Director’s support in creating awareness about the project among community stakeholders, particularly the traditional leaders.

During the meeting, the Deputy State Coordinator of the TB Network explained that the ATM Network is a Global Fund-supported Technical Service Organization implementing the Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (iCLM) Project.

He emphasized that the project is designed to strengthen community ownership of health facilities, promote accountability in healthcare service delivery, identify service gaps, and improve access to quality TB, HIV/AIDS, and Malaria services through community participation.