A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), has expressed concern over inadequate health facilities and out-of-pocket medical expenses incurred by some patients in a bid to access Tuberculosis (TB), malaria and HIV services.

The CSOs through the Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) and TB Network raised the concerned at news conference in Abuja. The group said that some patients especially those in rural areas travel more 30 kilometres to access TB, malaria and HIV services.

Mr Nathaniel Salifu, FCT Coordinator, TB Network noted that TB, HIV and malaria are more common among vulnerable populations due to inadequate health facilities, insufficient financial resources, which he said can undermine treatment. Even where treatment is free, such as in the case of TB, transportation to clinics and other hidden out-of-pocket costs for patients may pose challenges.

Some patients had to travel more than 30 km away from their homes in rural areas to access TB, HIV and malaria services, which can be unaffordable for many, he said. He said that the coalition was working with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) under the COVID-19 Response Mechanism/Resilient and Sustainable System for Health (C19RM/RSSH) grant to improve health outcomes in 18 states.

Salifu added that they donated solar energy systems to Dabi-Bako PHC; hospital consumables to Kwali Central PHC and completed soak-away project in Chibri PHC, amongst others in FCT. He, therefore, urged government and other stakeholders to implement measures that include prevention and treatment; health education and promotion and community partnership to successfully address the diseases.

There is an urgent need to strengthen health systems, provide needed financial resources, renew political leadership and foster collaborations. Evidence-based cost-effective interventions such as community-led monitoring need to be scaled up and include community-based differentiated service delivery models.

Finally, innovations in service delivery and technological adaptations remain critical as countries aim to limit disruptions to routine services,” he said. Mrs Deborah Azeez, Health Educator, FCT Public Health Department, highlighted their role in promoting health, preventing diseases and saving lives. We engage in awareness creation and despite government doing their part in promoting health, we also encourage communities to participate and take ownership of these programmes before the grants are over, she said.

Also, Mr Isah Likita, representing Kabusa Ward Development Committee, stressed the need for the government to reintroduce fumigation exercise targeted at eliminating pests that carry diseases like malaria. I was at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada for three weeks recently and the rate of mosquitoes there was even more than the one outside.

If government re-introduces such initiatives it will help to eliminate these diseases, especially at the community level, he said. The C19RM/RSSH project being implemented covers 315 wards in the 105 LGAs in 18 states of the country.