From Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The Taraba State chapter of the Association of Civil Society Organizations, Malaria Control, Immunizations and Nutrition (ACOMIN), has decried the acute shortage of HIV/AIDS testing kits in the state.
ACOMIN’S State chairman, Alhaji Muhd Danburam made this known during an advocacy visit to the Taraba AIDS Control Agency (TACA), Essential Drug Office, and REDAID Nigeria Foundation on Wednesday.
Danburam revealed that a recent assessment of 18 Primary Healthcare Centers in Ardo-kola, Bali, and Takum Local Government Areas showed that the facilities had run out of HIV/AIDS testing strips and clients are being charged in some facilities visited.
“The shortage of testing kits will hinder efforts to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state,” Danburam said.
He called on the state government and relevant stakeholders to take urgent action to address the shortage.
Responding, Pharm. Pinkai Bade, State Coordinator of Logistics Management Coordinating Unit (LMCU), urged citizens to be resilient in ensuring quality service delivery but noted that the supply chain was so challenging as a result of the stoppage of US support to Nigeria.
He noted that Nigeria is committed to closing HIV gaps and achieving Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) by 2030.
Mr Stanley Nfor, State Technical Operation of the REDAID Nigeria and Bala Zungyeri secretary of Taraba AIDS Control Agency (TACA) took turned to explained that donors alone cannot meet the demand for test kits and other essential commodities, stressing the need for government support.
