The Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Project in Benue State, the African Network of Adolescents and Young People Development (ANAYD), alongside the Tuberculosis (TB) Network, the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) Benue State Chapter, and the media, conducted an advocacy visit to the Benue State Hospital Management Board on Wednesday
The advocacy visit followed findings from routine CLM monitoring activities at General Hospital Gbajimba in Guma Local Government Area, where significant gaps affecting tuberculosis (TB) service delivery were identified.
Presenting the findings during the meeting to the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Hospital Management Board, ANAYD Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Banke Abel Ebe, disclosed that the hospital faced inadequate laboratory reagents for microscopy follow-up tests for tuberculosis patients and lacked a functional refrigeration system for the storage of TB specimens.
According to him, these challenges limit effective patient monitoring and follow-up investigations, compromise specimen preservation, and negatively affect the quality and reliability of TB diagnosis and treatment services.
Ebe emphasized that addressing the gaps identified through the Community-Led Monitoring initiative would significantly improve service quality, strengthen patient satisfaction, and contribute to building a more resilient and patient-centred healthcare system.
He further highlighted some of the achievements recorded under the GC7 N-THRIP Community-Led Monitoring intervention in Benue State since 2025, which include the documentation of feedback from over 2,000 clients and community members, the generation of valuable evidence through structured patient interviews conducted in health facilities and communities, and the identification of critical gaps affecting healthcare delivery across several facilities in the state.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer also explained that Community-Led Monitoring is a people-centred approach designed to strengthen health systems through routine monitoring of the availability, accessibility, and quality of HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria services. He noted that the intervention also promotes community education on HIV prevention, treatment rights, standards of care, and accountability in healthcare service delivery.
Responding to the concerns raised, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Matthew Onojah, immediately contacted the medical officer overseeing General Hospital, Gbajimba, Dr. Terrance Akighir and confirmed that the situation was accurately reported. He directed Dr. Akighir to take immediate steps to address the identified challenges and improve service delivery at the hospital.
The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between government institutions, civil society organizations, community networks, and the media in addressing healthcare challenges and ensuring that health facilities provide quality services to the people of Benue State.
The African Network of Adolescents and Young People Development (ANAYD), a community-based organisation (CBO) and affiliate of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), is currently implementing Community-Led Monitoring activities in Benue State to promote accountability, strengthen health systems, and improve access to quality HIV, TB, and malaria services.
