The Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has warned that the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria in Taraba State could suffer serious setbacks unless urgent steps are taken to address gaps in healthcare service delivery.
The warning was issued during a media briefing in Jalingo on the Global Fund Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Project, which seeks to strengthen accountability and improve access to healthcare services across the state.
ACOMIN State Chairman, Alhaji Tanko Mohammed Danburam, called on the Taraba State Government to take greater ownership of the response to the three diseases, noting that many communities still face barriers to prevention, testing, treatment, and follow-up care.
He acknowledged government efforts in deploying health workers and expanding healthcare infrastructure but said findings from the CLM project revealed persistent challenges affecting service delivery.
Danburam identified weak referral systems as a major obstacle, explaining that many primary healthcare centres are unable to manage severe malaria cases and lack effective links to secondary hospitals, while HIV and TB patients are often not connected to treatment centres on time.
According to him, delays in diagnosis and treatment expose patients to serious health complications and undermine efforts to control the diseases.
The ACOMIN chairman also raised concerns over the financial burden on patients, noting that rising transportation costs and frequent drug stock-outs force many people to miss appointments or discontinue treatment.
He warned that treatment interruptions could lead to drug resistance, disease progression, and increased mortality, adding that communities still struggle with the availability, accessibility, affordability, and quality of healthcare services.
Danburam further decried the shortage of trained healthcare workers in many primary healthcare facilities, where a single staff member often handles screening, testing, counselling, drug dispensing, and record-keeping.
He also highlighted frequent shortages of diagnostic test kits, antimalarial drugs, and the non-functionality of GeneXpert machines used for TB diagnosis, forcing patients to travel long distances for essential services.
Despite the challenges, he said ACOMIN has supported healthcare delivery through renovation of health facilities, construction of boreholes, procurement of medical equipment and medications, and engagement of volunteers to complement existing services.
Development partners, including representatives of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Society for Family Health (SFH), and NEPWHAN, commended ACOMIN’s efforts and pledged continued collaboration to improve healthcare services and outcomes for HIV, TB, and malaria patients across Taraba State.