By Praise Chinecherem
Coalition of Civil Society Networks on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM Networks) has attributed high under-five malaria mortality rate largely to out-of-pocket medical expenses and discouraging care-seeking behavior, especially among the poorest households.
Anambra State Coordinator, TB Network, Ifeyinwa Unachukwu disclosed this during the State Media Meeting on the ATM Anambra State Global Fund, GC-7/C19RM/RSSH project in the state.
She also called for careful monitoring of funding for primary healthcare to prevent mismanagement and enable robust public health programs at ward level.
She said, “Even when services like TB treatment are free, hidden costs such as transportation make them inaccessible to many, particularly in rural areas.
“Addressing these challenges requires systemic efforts to improve access, affordability, and awareness, particularly for the most vulnerable.
“The ATM Networks (TB Network, NEPWHAN, and ACOMIN) are collaborating with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) through the COVID-19 Response Mechanism/Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (C19RM) grant.
“This partnership aims to address health system gaps and improve health outcomes by integrating communities and civil society organizations into healthcare responses.
“Under the grant, the ATM Networks employ a Community-Led Monitoring approach, engaging community stakeholders in identifying gaps in service delivery, prioritizing needs, and advocating for improvements.
“The grant is being implemented across 21 states, including Anambra, and covers 105 local government areas (LGAs), 315 wards, and 315 health facilities. In Anambra state, the grant is being implemented 5 LGAs, 15 wards and 15 PHCs and had been scaled to 30 wards and 30 PHCs in Quarter 4 of this year 2024.”
According to Unachukwu, the media meeting serves as a biannual platform to share updates on the progress and challenges of the ATM Network’s interventions within Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) and communities.
“The meeting also aims to secure further support from government actors and partners to address the challenges faced during project implementation,” she added.
Enumerating several successes recorded by the C19RM Community-Led Monitoring initiative in the second half of 2024, Unachukwu said the interventions had significantly increased health service uptake across the 15 existing PHCs and 15 newly integrated facilities.
“Among the interventions were installation of equipment, repairing of leaking roofs, replacement of toilet facilities, and construction of culvert at the entrance of Uruogbo PHC, Enugwu Ukwu by Philanthropists.
“Repairs of roof, ceiling, and piping at Abagana Ward 4 PHC by Community members; allocation of constituency projects for upgrade of Osuma PHC, Onitsha & Immanuel Church PHC through engagement with State Assembly members and provision of new gate and water equipment in Amaokpala Ward 1 PHC through Community donations.
“Others include infrastructure improvements, including roof repairs and new clinic beds in Model PHC, Obosi by Community members; donation of standing fans and chairs by philanthropists in Akuzor PHC, Nkpor; donated ceiling fans by Community members in Nanka Ward 2 PHC; installation of new generator and mosquito nets in Mgbakwu PHC as well as communities support to Ndiowu and Ebenebe PHCs improvements,” she stated.
The ATM boss further called for comprehensive approach towards addressing barriers and advancing fight against TB, HIV, Malaria, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Anambra and Nigeria at large.
“Such key actions include expanding National Health Insurance program to the most vulnerable populations, including the poor and unemployed, to reduce the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
“Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria manifests in many forms, including domestic abuse, rape, early marriages, and female genital mutilation. Women, men, and children continue to endure these violations in both public and private spaces.
“Civil society calls upon stakeholders to combat the rising cases of GBV. We urge all citizens to speak out against these injustices and support efforts to eradicate GBV from our society.
“Addressing the challenges in Nigeria’s health system requires decisive action. Strengthening infrastructure, securing financial resources, renewing political commitment, and fostering partnerships are crucial.
“Evidence-based interventions like Community-Led Monitoring should be scaled up, and innovative service delivery models must be implemented to ensure continuity of care. Together, we can overcome these barriers and build a healthier, more equitable Nigeria.”
Underscoring the place of communication campaigns in raising awareness about testing, care-seeking, and prevention strategies, Unachukwu advised that communities should be empowered to embrace behavior changes essential for controlling HIV, TB, and Malaria.
She urged local communities to actively support their PHCs through advocacy, donations, and participation in decision-making to ensure sustainability and improved service delivery.
“We appeal to Ministry of Information to design strategic communication messages that centre on control of GBV.
“We also call on the newly elected local government chairmen and Councillors to take advantage of their good offices to escalate the messages in the PHCs through their Information and health officers
“We further called on communities to support development and advancement of PHCs to enhance their functionalities. They can also help the government to escalate the messages to other outlets where they have control of,” Unachukwu added.
Representative of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Revd Emmanuel Okoroafor restated his organization’s willingness to partner ATM to reach out to communities through its welfare arm.
“Church is part of the project and CAN through its welfare arm is willing to partner with ATM to reach out to the communities for the people’s betterment,” he added.
A community leader in Enugwu-Ukwu, Joseph Ebede decried high rate of GBV and trafficking in his community, regretting that many die in silence for lack of backing and sensitization.
