As part of the implementation of the Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Project in Benue State, the African Network of Adolescents and Young People Development (ANAYD) has continued to engage relevant stakeholders to address gaps identified through routine monitoring of health service delivery.
Advocacy visits to key stakeholders is a critical component of the CLM project, enabling communities and civil society actors to present findings from health facilities and seek timely interventions to improve access to quality healthcare services.
ANAYD, alongside representatives of the Tuberculosis (TB) Network, the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) Benue State Chapter, and the media, paid an advocacy visit to the Benue State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP) on Monday to discuss challenges affecting malaria service delivery in the state.
During the visit, ANAYD Programme Officer, Pius Ogolekwu, disclosed that findings from a supportive supervision visit to Hope Hospital, Wadata, Makurdi revealed concerns over the non-availability of free malaria drugs and other malaria intervention commodities in private health facilities.
He said most private hospitals have expressed concerns over the inadequate supply of malaria drugs and related intervention kits meant to improve malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment among adults and children. According to the facilities, this challenge limits access to essential malaria services, particularly for vulnerable populations who depend on private healthcare providers.
Responding on behalf of the State Malaria Elimination Programme, Mr. Abilagir Menenge explained that free malaria drugs are currently not distributed to private health facilities because of concerns that such commodities may be diverted for profit-making purposes rather than being dispensed free of charge as intended under the programme.
The advocacy meeting provided an opportunity for constructive dialogue between stakeholders on strengthening malaria service delivery across both public and private health facilities.
Participants emphasized the need for improved collaboration, accountability mechanisms, and equitable distribution of malaria commodities to ensure that all residents of Benue State have access to quality malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services in line with national malaria control objectives.
ANAYD reaffirmed its commitment, through the CLM project, to continuously monitor healthcare services, engage stakeholders, and advocate for responsive actions that improve health outcomes for communities across Benue State.
