Drug, Test Kit Shortages Threaten Malaria, HIV Fight in Taraba – Civil Society raises alarm 

‎By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

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The Association of Civil Society Organizations in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has raised concerns over shortages of malaria drugs and HIV diagnostic kits in several health facilities across Taraba State.

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The civil society group warned that the development could undermine ongoing efforts to combat malaria and HIV at the grassroots level.

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ACOMIN State Chairman, Alhaji Tanko Mohammed Danburam, spoke in Jalingo during an advocacy visit under the Global Fund GC7 malaria grant.

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He said the State Advocacy Team identified four major supply chain gaps during its April 2026 implementation activities.

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Danburam listed the gaps to include the lack of routine Insecticide-Treated Nets for pregnant women at Tampa Primary Health Centre in Takum Local Government Area, as well as stock-outs of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs 1–4) and Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (MRDT) kits at Sabon Gida PHC in Donga LGA.

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He also identified shortages of ACTs and MRDTs at Galea MDG in Kurmi LGA, and inadequate ACTs and RDTs at Dudun Bekam PHCC and Tudun Beekhan PHC, both in Donga LGA.

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“We are here to push for urgent solutions that will strengthen the fight against malaria in Taraba State,” Danburam said.

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He disclosed that the team met with the Malaria Focal Person at the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mohammed Mahmud, who pledged to address the issues through the Roll Back Malaria platform, the Logistics Management Coordinating Unit of the Ministry of Health, and the State Malaria Programme.

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The team also visited the Taraba State AIDS Control Agency, where it engaged the Director of Planning, Research and Monitoring, Jellason Yuguda, on shortages of HIV testing materials.

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Danburam said the team reported the absence of HIV testing kits at Kasuwan Ladi and inadequate supplies at Mayolope PHCC.

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In response, Yuguda said the Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative had supplied 15,000 cartons of HIV testing materials for distribution to primary healthcare centres across the state.

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Danburam, however, called for improved distribution to facilities still facing shortages.

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“These supply chain gaps threaten service delivery at the grassroots. Government must act to ensure no facility runs out of life-saving commodities,” he said.

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He added that sustained access to malaria and HIV services is critical to achieving Nigeria’s 2030 elimination targets.