By Abel Johngold Orheruata
ASABA, Delta State – The Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization, and Nutrition (ACOMIN) held a media briefing on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the NUJ Press Centre in Asaba, shedding light on pressing issues plaguing the state’s healthcare infrastructure and sharing achievements under the Global Fund (GF) Malaria Community-Led Monitoring Project.
In his keynote address, the State Program Officer, Sir Austin A. Uwede, called for urgent action to address the challenges facing healthcare facilities across Delta State. He emphasized the deterioration of infrastructure, inadequate medical equipment, power shortages, and lack of clean water supply as critical barriers to quality healthcare delivery.
Healthcare Challenges Unveiled
Sir Uwede highlighted several alarming conditions observed during the project implementation:
Aging Buildings: Many facilities have unsafe structures, including cracked walls and leaking roofs, posing risks to patients and staff.
Lack of Medical Equipment: Basic diagnostic tools such as thermometers and sphygmomanometers are unavailable in many primary health centers (PHCs).
Power Outages: Frequent electricity failures hinder medical procedures, especially at night.
Water Scarcity: The absence of clean water in some PHCs exacerbates infection risks and disrupts operations.
“These challenges not only compromise service delivery but also erode the trust of communities in the healthcare system,” Uwede stated.
ACOMIN’s Community-Led Achievements
Despite these hurdles, ACOMIN’s initiative has yielded notable successes in Delta State:
1. Facility Improvements: Communities have mobilized to renovate aging PHCs, provide generators, repair solar panels, and procure medical equipment.
2. Enhanced Services: Local government councils deployed staff to underserved PHCs, while community philanthropists funded boreholes and donated essential items like water purifiers and rechargeable lamps.
3. Increased Advocacy: Efforts have spurred greater community ownership and participation in maintaining healthcare infrastructure.
Stakeholder Contributions and Recognition
During the briefing, Delta State ACOMIN Chairman, Pastor Greg Sifo, emphasized the importance of quarterly updates to track progress and identify areas for improvement. He lauded Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and community members for their commitment.
Dr. Julie Aniah from the Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and Dr. Charles Eboka from the State Ministry of Health also commended ACOMIN’s dedication. Notably, Delta State recently won a $400,000 award for excellence in primary healthcare in South-South Nigeria.
Call to Action
Sir Uwede urged stakeholders, including government agencies, philanthropists, private sector partners, and religious organizations, to join forces in addressing these challenges. “Together, we can transform our healthcare infrastructure and build a stronger, healthier future for our communities,” he concluded.
As the Global Fund Malaria Grant enters a new phase, the emphasis on community-led monitoring and healthcare improvement sets a hopeful precedent for Delta State. ACOMIN’s work continues to inspire collective action to bridge gaps in healthcare infrastructure and services.