Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Association of Civil Society in Malaria Control Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), through its Community-Led Monitoring project, has raised alarm over the sluggish pace of renovations at Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs) across Taraba State.
ACOMIN’s state chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Danburam, ACOMIN’s state chairman, during a stakeholders’ advocacy visit to the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA) in Jalingo on Tuesday, emphasized that the delay is negatively impacting healthcare delivery and patient welfare.
“Clients receiving medical care at the affected facilities reportedly complained that the sluggish pace of construction work is severely disrupting operations,” Danburam noted.
He also expressed concern about medical equipment and furniture left exposed to rain, warning this could lead to “significant asset loss.”
In response, the Director of Primary Health Care at TSPHCDA, Mr. Bello Kakulu acknowledged the concerns and pledged swift intervention. “We will notify the contractors of the observations and ensure prompt follow-up to speed up the renovation process,” Kakulu assured the visiting team.
ACOMIN’s advocacy also extended to the Management Sciences for Health (MSH) office, addressing critical shortages of malaria commodities in the state.
Key supplies like Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), Rapid Diagnostic Test kits (RDTs), Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), and free Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) for preventive treatment are currently out of stock in many facilities.
The MSH Taraba State Team Lead, Mr. Othaniel Kighir responded positively to the supply challenges, promising urgent action to replenish vital antimalarial stocks.
“We pledge to facilitate the prompt restocking of ACTs, RDTs, and other vital antimalarial supplies in the affected health facilities,” Kighir said, reinforcing commitment to strengthen malaria control efforts in Taraba.
The combined efforts highlight the urgent need for collaboration between government bodies and partners to enhance healthcare infrastructure and service delivery in the state.
