Chima Azubuike 

Stakeholders in AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria prevention and control in Gombe State have attributed the prevalence of the diseases to poverty.

The Chairperson, Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition, Hassana Maisanda, who made this assertion, noted that the poorest population are the most vulnerable to the diseases, adding that they are further fuelled by inadequate health facilities and lack of access to information as well as quality education.

PUNCH Healthwise reports that in a bid to contribute to the resolution of the challenges and problems, ACOMIN, Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, and Tuberculosis Network have been re-engaged by the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS to serve as Technical Service Organisations on the Grant Cycle Seven.

The CSOs are responsible for implementing the community component of the COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Grant.

Maisanda said, “HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria are diseases that demand consideration of factors that predispose populations to disease. The most significant factors are socioeconomic inequality and abject poverty.

“The prevalence rate of malaria, HIV, and TB infection are poverty-related, with the poorest populations being most vulnerable due to inadequate health facilities, and lack of access to information and quality education. In addition, lack of financial resources can undermine the effectiveness of treatment.

“It has been proven that Nigeria’s high under-five malaria mortality is largely due to high out-of-pocket medical expenses, which discourages care-seeking behaviour, particularly among the poorest households. Even where treatment is free, such as in the case of TB, payment of transport to clinics and other hidden out-of-pocket costs may render treatment prohibitive.

Some patients had to travel over long distances to access TB, HIV, and Malaria services, which can be unaffordable for many, and lead to inability to complete the course of treatment.”

Also speaking, NEPWAN Gombe State Chairman, Mohammed Sabo, called on executive directors of community-based organisations to get involved in the fight against HIV, noting that lots of works are required in the control of the virus.

“You should stop leaving the activities of HIV prevention to programme officers. Some of them are not sincere with their reports and they don’t have adequate information,” he added.

Also, the Programme Officer of ACOMIN, Samuel Chuwang, explained that the Global Fund-approved COVID-19 C19EP grant is being implemented in 21 selected states including Gombe from 2024-2025.

He explained that the grant will continue to address issues and gaps in health systems and infrastructures.

Chuwang added, “Through strategic interventions to ensure their efficient and effective outcomes are achieved. The C19EP will also integrate the responses of health systems, community systems, and CSOs to any emerging epidemics.”

On his part, the Programme Manager of the Gombe Malaria Elimination Programme, Ubayo Ali, lamented the failure of residents to use the commodities supplied.

He lamented that some healthcare givers usually sell the commodities, adding, “When you give Insecticide Treated Nets, they don’t use the net, but they put it under their pillow. You give out a commodity and it is not used.

“You give out commodities but people at the facilities sell the commodities. Thank God ACOMIN usually tells us and we take action.”

An official of the National Orientation Agency Mohammed, Danladi, reiterated the importance of information dissemination, adding, “If the media is not carried along, residents may not be properly informed about resilient and sustainable systems for health, especially the challenges and successes.”

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