CSO Advocates Better Malaria, HIV Services in Taraba

By Godwin Agia, Taraba

The Association of Civil Society Organisations for Malaria Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has taken community and health facility concerns to relevant state health authorities, calling for improved access to essential malaria and HIV services in Taraba State.

The call was made during advocacy visits to the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA) and the Taraba State AIDS Control Agency (TACA) under the GF/IHVN/ACOMIN Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Project.

ACOMIN’s State Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Tanko Danburam, disclosed on Tuesday, during a follow-up engagement by the Stakeholder Advocacy Team (SAT), that his team had presented findings from community and health facility monitoring in several local government areas.

At TSPHCDA, ACOMIN reported shortages of Global Fund malaria commodities at Galea MDG Clinic and Sabon-Gida Akwewen PHC in Kurmi LGA. The team also cited the absence of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) at Tati PHC in Takum LGA since 2022.

At TACA, the team highlighted gaps in HIV screening during antenatal care at facilities including Bakin Dutse MDG PHC, Wuro Cheudo Dispensary and Wuro Yolde PHC in Ardo Kola LGA; Lanko PHC in Yorro LGA; and Tati PHC in Takum LGA.

Danburam added that early action would prevent the health challenges from worsening.

“Community monitoring is not about identifying gaps alone, but about working with the government to ensure those gaps are closed for the benefit of the people.

“When communities, civil society organisations and government agencies work together, challenges such as commodity shortages and gaps in HIV and malaria services can be identified early and addressed before they become more serious.

“People visiting health facilities should not be left without essential malaria and HIV services when they need them most,” he said.

Responding, the Malaria Focal Person at TSPHCDA assured the delegation that the issues raised would be followed up with the relevant programme managers.

Also responding, Mr Paul Daniel, Director of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at TACA, acknowledged that commodity shortages were a major challenge. He said the Director-General of TACA was already aware of the situation and that the agency would be engaged again once the required commodities became available.