In Gombe State, stakeholders in the prevention and control of AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria have identified poverty as a major factor contributing to the prevalence of these diseases.
According to Hassana Maisanda, Chairperson of the Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition, the most vulnerable populations are the poorest, who lack access to adequate health facilities, information, and quality education, exacerbating the spread of these diseases.
To address these challenges, the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS has re-engaged ACOMIN, the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, and the Tuberculosis Network as Technical Service Organizations to implement the community component of the COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Grant, as part of Grant Cycle Seven.
Maisanda stated, “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.”
Further 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 noted.
Samuel Chuwang, Programme Officer of ACOMIN, clarified that the Global Fund’s COVID-19 C19EP grant, approved for implementation in 21 states, including Gombe, from 2024-2025, aims to address existing gaps and challenges in health systems and infrastructure, building on previous efforts to strengthen healthcare in the region.
Chuwang noted, “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.”
Ubayo Ali, Programme Manager of the Gombe Malaria Elimination Programme, expressed frustration that despite the availability of resources and supplies, many residents fail to utilize them, hindering the program’s effectiveness.
He lamented that some healthcare givers usually sell the commodities, noting, “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, stating, “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.”
