CSO Engages JNI, TB Programme to Improve Malaria and TB Services in Taraba

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Civil Society for Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Taraba State, has called for increased community awareness of malaria services and improved access to tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment.

The ACOMIN State Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Tanko Danburam, made the call on Wednesday during separate advocacy visits to the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Taraba State TB Control Programme under the Global Fund GC7 Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Project.

At the JNI Secretariat, the team expressed concern over the low level of awareness of free, Global Fund-supported malaria commodities among pregnant women and caregivers of children under five in Takum, Bali, Kurmi and Donga Local Government Areas.

Danburam urged the Islamic organisation to leverage its religious structures to raise awareness and encourage greater uptake of malaria prevention and treatment services.

“We are appealing to JNI to use its religious structures to create demand among pregnant women and caregivers of children under five to increase service uptake,” Danburam said.

In his response, the Taraba State Chairman of JNI, Alhaji Muhyiddeen Muhammed, assured the team of the organisation’s support.

“We welcome this appeal, and we will encourage our imams to educate their congregations during Friday sermons and other religious gatherings,” he said.

At the TB Control Programme office, the ACOMIN team presented challenges reported by community members, including delays in receiving TB test results at Chanchanji Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) in Takum Local Government Area and a shortage of sputum collection cups at Ndaforo PHCC in Kurmi Local Government Area.

Responding, the Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) Focal Person, Mr Bala Yusuf, said the programme would investigate the complaints.

“The office will investigate the issues and respond accordingly,” he said.