By Godwin Agia
The Taraba State chapter of the Association of Civil Society Organizations on Malaria Control, Immunizations, and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has raised concerns over the severe shortage of HIV/AIDS testing kits in the state, warning that the situation could undermine efforts to combat the disease.
During an advocacy visit on Thursday to the Taraba AIDS Control Agency (TACA), the Essential Drug Office, and the REDAID Nigeria Foundation, ACOMIN’s state chairman, Alhaji Muhd Danburam, called for urgent intervention.
Danburam revealed that a recent assessment of 18 Primary Healthcare Centers across Ardo-Kola, Bali, and Takum Local Government Areas found that many facilities had completely run out of HIV/AIDS testing strips. In some instances, he said, clients were being charged for tests due to the scarcity of kits.
“The shortage of testing kits will severely hinder efforts to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in Taraba State,” Danburam warned, urging the state government and relevant stakeholders to take immediate action.
In response, Pharmacist Pinkai Bade, State Coordinator of the Logistics Management Coordinating Unit (LMCU), acknowledged the supply chain challenges, attributing them to the discontinuation of U.S. support for Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS programs.
However, he reassured that Nigeria remains committed to closing HIV gaps and achieving the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) target by 2030.
Also speaking on the issue, Stanley Nfor, State Technical Officer of REDAID Nigeria, and Bala Zungyeri, Secretary of TACA, emphasized that donor organizations alone cannot meet the growing demand for test kits and other essential medical supplies.
They urged the government to step in and provide the necessary support to sustain HIV/AIDS interventions in the state.
With testing kit shortages threatening to slow progress, stakeholders are calling for swift government action to prevent a setback in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Taraba.