A Network of Civil Society Organisations in Akwa Ibom State, ACOMIN, TB and NEPWHAN, “ATM Network” has urged youths and other Community stakeholders in the state to take ownership of health interventions or projects put up in their communities.
It said aside the infrastructural facilities community members should jealously guard; they should also pay attention particularly to service delivery of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis (TB) treatment, with the aim of identifying the gaps and jointly prioritising their needs for improved services.
This was part of the recommendations by the Network during a media briefing held at the completion of its two year project on, “The COVID-19 Response Mechanism/ Resilient and Sustainable System for health (C19RM/RSSH)” across Nine local government areas in the state which was sponsored by Global Fund through the National Agency for the Control of AIDs (NACA) and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Programme Officer for the C19-RSSH project, Akwa Ibom State, Mr Wisdom Jacob recalled the incidents of vandalism and theft in some health facilities by hoodlums, challenging community members to be intentional in protecting their assets especially the ones handed over to them through the project.
While listing some projects implemented through the programme including stocking of drugs, revamping of boreholes in health facilities, installation of vandalized cables, donation of chairs and tables, roofing of some centres among others; the program officer called for effective monitoring by the state ministry of health and the primary health care development agency and staff training on proper documentation and record keeping.
His words, “In one of the Local Government Areas visited, the Cold Chain Cables given with solar systems were vandalized and taken away from the facility. So we begin to talk to the community members that it is your property so you have the right to stand up and ensure that it is protected. There should be adequate security in the health facilities.
He also disabused the misconception that Health centres are only meant for children immunization saying that adults can also access healthcare services in health centres.
Also speaking NEPWHAN Cordinator in the state, Mrs Elizabeth Udoh said C19RM/RSSH project was a critical initiative aimed at supporting the government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare systems in health centres for the prevention and treatment of diseases in communities.
She said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities within health systems worldwide, emphasising the urgent need for resilient infrastructure, a robust health workforce, and effective disease surveillance.”
In a goodwill message, the Akwa Ibom State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, Dr Boniface Ukpong commended Global Fund for the sponsorship and ATM Network for implementing the project in the state, noting that they have been able to mitigate the impact of the shortfalls of malaria commodities following US funding withdrawal.
Ukpong also applauded the governor, Pastor Umo Eno for remodelling the health sector especially at the rural areas saying another line of advocacy should be for sustainability, for locals to take ownership of what has been given to them by ensuring that the facilities are well maintained and services run the way it should.
Take ownership of health interventions in your area – CSO urges Akwa Ibom communities
