By Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The State Advocacy Team of the Association of Civil Society Organization in Malaria Control Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) implementing the Global Fund CLM Project in Taraba State have intensified advocacy efforts that will strengthen health service delivery in Taraba State through two high-level engagements with key health authorities.
ACOMIN State chairman, Alhaji Tako Danburam disclosed in Jalingo that the advocacy missions focused on commodity shortages and infrastructural weaknesses affecting HIV, Malaria, and primary healthcare services across six communities.
He explained that the advocacy team visited the Logistics Management and Coordinating Unit (LMCU) of the State Ministry of Health to present community-concerns on stockouts across monitored health facilities.
Danburam presented commodity gaps including the stockout of HIV Testing Strips at Tudun Wada Health Post (Ibi LGA) and Ananum PHCC (Donga LGA); stockout of ACTs 1, 3 & 4 at Turakeke Health Post (Gassol LGA); and stockout of ACTs 2, 3, 4 and mRDTs at Mallum PHCC (Ardo-Kola LGA) as well as Lapu PHCC and Ananum PHCC.
Responding, the LMCU Coordinator, Pharm. Pinkai Bade appreciated the advocacy and committed to liaising with NACA and MSH to ensure that affected facilities receive the required commodities.
In a separate advocacy effort, the team also engaged the Taraba State IMPACT Project Office, presenting urgent infrastructural concerns at Garin Dogo PHCC (Lau LGA) and Mallum PHCC (Ardo-Kola LGA).
The advocacy highlighted the issues of dilapidated buildings, leaking roofs, inadequate space, and unsafe service environments that hinder effective healthcare delivery and compromise patient safety and comfort.
In his response, Dr. Urbanus Ezekiel, Project Manager of the Taraba State IMPACT Project, commended the advocacy team for acting on the concerns of the communities.
He assured that the IMPACT Project will look at the issues advocated for with the aim to address them.
