By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
The Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) Taraba State has urged government health agencies to urgently address critical service delivery gaps affecting malaria and HIV interventions in the state.
The call was made during a high-level advocacy visit led by Alh. Muhd T. Danburam, State Chairman of ACOMIN Taraba, to the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA) and the Taraba State AIDS Control Agency (TACA).
During the visit, ACOMIN representatives raised concerns over the stockout of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) at High Mammy PHC (Takum LGA) and Pupule PHCC (Yorro LGA), as well as the shortage of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) at Garba Chede PHCC (Bali LGA) and Namnai PHCC (Gassol LGA).
They stressed that these shortages compromise malaria prevention in pregnancy and case management efforts, putting vulnerable groups such as children under five and pregnant women at high risk.
The team also highlighted gaps in HIV service delivery, citing the absence of HIV testing kits at Jatau Benyi PHC (Donga LGA) and the lack of male condoms at both Jatau Benyi PHC and Pupule PHCC (Yorro LGA).
According to the advocacy team, these gaps are detrimental to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and undermine public health goals.
Responding on behalf of TSPHCDA, Mr. Mahmud Mohammed, Malaria Focal Person, assured that immediate action will be taken through Local Government Roll Back Malaria officers. He added that the supply chain will be strengthened to ensure consistent distribution of ITNs and ACTs across affected facilities.
At TACA, Mr. Tsojon Paul Daniel, Director of Prevention and Health Promotion, confirmed that HIV testing kits will be supplied to Jatau Benyi PHC in due course and that both Jatau Benyi and Pupule PHCCs will be included in the next distribution cycle of male condoms.
