The Association of Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition has urged the federal, state and local governments to prioritize healthcare infrastructure in their budgets to ensure effective service delivery.
The State Program Coordinator(SPO) ACOMIN, Abdulhakim Dayyab, made the call during the C19RM Biannual media meeting held in Kano.
ACOMIN is a network of CSOs that envision a healthy Nigerian society free of Malaria, Polio, and other communicable and preventable diseases.
According to him, increased funding is essential for renovating and upgrading, in addition to implementations of comprehensive policies, to ensure the regular maintenance of infrastructure across healthcare facilities.
He noted that several challenges were identified during the community-led monitoring initiated and implemented by the Aids Tuberculosis and Malaria Networks (ATM).
“Key issues affecting health facilities included inadequate medical equipment, infrastructure deterioration, and power shortages”
Dayyab emphasized that ATM has intervened in 15 primary healthcare centers (PHCs) across the state by reconnecting water supply and providing solar panels, among other support.
“Kaura Goje, Gaida Sangalawa, and Aisami PHCs benefited from these interventions,” he stated.
He urged community leaders, philanthropists, private sector partners, religious leaders, and faith-based organizations to take decisive action to address these issues.
TB Network Representative Sulaiman Ahmed-Indabawa, added that ATM has engaged with PHCs to promote ownership and responsibility for their operations.
He highlighted that strategies were put in place for improved productivity while advocating for community members to utilize the available healthcare facilities and BHCPF.
Also, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullah,Deputy Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program Officer Kano State Ministry of Health, described the meeting as apt.
AIDS, Tubercles and Malaria networks ATM ACOMIN, Network of people living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria NEPWHAN, TB Network were re-engaged by NACA to serve as technical service organizations TSOs on the implementation of the community component of the COVID-19 emergency preparedness grant.