The Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), the Tuberculosis Network (TB Network), and COVID-19 response mechanism (C19 Program) have urged federal government of Nigeria, 36 state of the federation, government officials and policymakers to prioritize and increase funding for health sector especially primary and secondary healthcare centers (PHCs).
The NGOs also requested philanthropist and private sector to plays a crucial role in maximum implementation of governments policies on health sector aimed at improving livelihood of the general populace in Nigeria.
The Kano state program officer (SPO) of COVID-19 response mechanism (C19 Program) Abdulhakeem Daiyab stated this at a Media briefing for the ATM network state media meeting held in Kano on Thursday.
READ ALSO: ACOMIN, COVID-19 Response Team Visit KSACA DG, Solicit for Support
According to him, Nigeria has the highest number of people affected by Malaria globally and the world’s second largest human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS) burden, a situation which like all stakeholders including community members to join hands and work together to reduce the burden to the lowest minimum level.
“Nigeria has the world’s highest number of people affected by malaria and the world’s second-largest human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS burden. There is a high occurrence of co-infection of malaria in HIV patients. Nigeria is also ranked as one of the thirty high tuberculosis (TB) and TB-HIV co-infection burden countries in the world. Co-infection can make each disease more severe and potentially more infectious. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria are diseases that demand consideration of factors that predispose populations to disease. The most significant factors are socio-economic inequality and abject poverty,” said SPO.
Auwal said “The prevalence rate of malaria, HIV, and TB infection are poverty-related, with the poorest populations being most vulnerable due to inadequate health facilities, and lack of access to information and quality education. In addition, lack of financial resources can undermine the effectiveness of treatment. It has been proven that Nigeria’s high under-five malaria mortality is largely due to high out-of-pocket medical expenses, which discourages care-seeking behavior, particularly among the poorest households.”
READ ALSO: Four African Nations Account for Over Half of Malaria Deaths Globally – Kano ACOMIN Chair
He said frequent stock out of ATM commodities in some of the facilities, Lack of water and power supply in some of the facilities, Damaged structures at some of the facilities due to lack/insufficient security, Insufficient structures to allow for other services, and HIV, TB services are not being offered by some facilities in implementing
LGAs due to the unavailability of test kits or DOT centers remained the key challenges faced in fighting against Malaria in Kano state.
The SPO that urged private sector, Philanthropist, religious leaders, governments officials and policymakers to privatize increase funding for health sector especially primary and secondary healthcare centers so as the set targets will be achieved.
In a remark, the representative of Kano state ministry of Health who double as Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilization officer of the ministry Halima Bala Adamu commended the duo for supporting the state government by advocating to various communities to take ownership of their health facilities so as to carter for their health.
READ ALSO: Heat Stress: Saudi Health Ministry Renders Over 1.3 million Medical Services to Pilgrims
Mrs. Bala said as the state government provides healthcare professional, drugs, and equipment to all the facilities across 44 local government areas of the state, the nongovernmental organization, philanthropist, religious leaders should also support government efforts by supporting the facilities or mobilizing the general public to contributes their quota in ensure that the people of the state remain healthy.
“Private sector should work hand-in-hand with community leaders, self-help groups including all the relevant policymakers and stakeholders to see that adequate Commodities and all the necessary needs in various Heath institutions has been provided so that our people will continue to visit very good health facilities with adequate resources, Man power and basic needs,” Halima added.