The Association of Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization, and Nutrition (ACOMIN), implementing the Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) project, has expressed concern over the slow pace of ongoing renovations at various Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs) in Taraba.
Alhaji Muhammad Danburam, Chairman of the ACOMIN in the state disclosed this at a stakeholders advocacy visit to the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA), in Jalingo.
Danburam said that the slow pace of the renovation was affecting healthcare service delivery and patients’ well-being.
He noted that clients receiving medical care at the affected facilities reportedly complained that the sluggish pace of construction work was severely disrupting operations.
According to him, some patients were said to have spent most time of the day outside the wards than inside the wards.
He noted that medical equipment and furniture evacuated from the facilities were left exposed to weather conditions, with some items already affected by rainfall, a development he said, could result in significant asset loss.
Danburam appealed for urgent action, calling on the Federal, Taraba Government and relevant stakeholders to support the contractors to expedite action on the renovation work and ensure completion within the stipulated time-frame.
Responding, Mr Bello Kakulu, Director, Primary Health Care at the TASPHCDA acknowledged the concerns raised and assured the team of swift action.
He pledged to notify the contractors of the observations and ensure prompt follow-up to speed up the renovation process.
The team also extended its advocacy visit to the Management Sciences for Health (MSH) office in Jalingo, where it addressed critical supply chain challenges in the fight against malaria.
The team reported stock-outs of essential malaria commodities, including Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), Rapid Diagnostic Test kits (RDTs), routine Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), and the unavailability of free Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) for preventive treatment in several facilities.
MSH Taraba State Team Lead, Mr Othaniel Kighir, also assured the team of immediate action by pledging to facilitate the prompt restocking of ACTs, RDTs, and other vital antimalarial supplies in the affected health facilities.
THE News Agency of Nigeria reports that the advocacy efforts by ACOMIN and its partners is aimed at improving healthcare delivery and enhancing access to essential services for the people. (NAN)
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