CSO urges A’Ibom govt to integrate TB, malaria, HIV care

 Ini Billie, Uyo

The government has been urged to integrate Tuberculosis, Malaria and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) response into a single comprehensive care framework.

Civil Society Organisations, Lawyers Alert and the Media Health Organisation (MHR) said the approach would improve resource utilization and ensure holistic care for patients with co-existing conditions.

Speaking at the weekend in Uyo during a virtual press conference, President of Lawyers Alert, Dr Rommy Mom and his counterpart at MHR, Alu Azege, said the group arrived at the conclusion after a comprehensive situational analysis conducted under the Gender Equality Fund (GEF) project in Akwa Ibom.

Mom explained that the survey showed over reliance on traditional treatment over modern medicine as well as frequent stockouts of medication in the health facilities.

He called on the government, CSOs and private entities to collaborate in addressing the root cause of the drift – funding gaps and improve the availability of essential medications and diagnostic tools.

The President mentioned the gender disparities and stigma in TB, HIV, and malaria response for women and called for enhanced visibility and enforcement of existing health policies.

He stated that the provision of economic support and empowerment programs for women would reduce financial dependency and stigma.

According to Mom, strengthening the capacity of women-led organisations and community health champions to advocate for gender-sensitive healthcare and challenge harmful cultural norms should be prioritized.

“Lawyers Alert and MHR call on the Akwa Ibom State Government, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and international partners to prioritize gender-transformative approaches in addressing the healthcare challenges identified in the report.

“Women particularly face significant barriers, including economic dependency, stigma, and caregiving responsibilities, which limit their ability to access timely healthcare. Stigma associated with HIV and TB discourages women from seeking care, while cultural and religious beliefs often lead to reliance on traditional remedies over modern healthcare.

“Government should address the root causes of reliance on traditional treatment over modern medicine, as well as the frequent stockouts of medications, we can ensure a more cohesive and effective system that equitably provides access to prevention, treatment, and care services,” the statement stated.