Inadequate medical equipment hampers HIV/AIDS, malaria

The Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) has raised concerns over the inadequate medical equipment at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Akwa Ibom State.

The group said the shortage of essential tools and facilities at the centres severely hampered the effective management of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis (TB) in the state.

NEPWHAN added that the lack of adequate equipment at PHCs led to treatment failures, increased mortality rates, and additional financial burdens on patients.

Mrs Elizabeth Udo, the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of NEPWHAN, said this on Thursday during a media briefing to review the organisation’s activities.

She explained that due to the limited diagnostic and treatment tools at PHCs, many clients were forced to seek care from alternative providers such as chemists and traditional medicine vendors, thereby missing proper diagnosis and care.

Udo called on the state government to equip all PHCs to support comprehensive public health programmes at the ward level.

“Funding for primary healthcare delivery should be carefully mapped out and safeguarded against misappropriation, to enable robust health programmes at the grassroots,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of public education, saying awareness campaigns could significantly improve testing rates and health-seeking behaviour.

“There’s a pressing need to educate, engage, and empower communities to adopt behaviours that support the prevention and control of HIV, malaria, and TB,” she added.

Udo further urged that every ward should actively participate in health promotion efforts, highlighting that community support and advocacy were key to ensuring the sustainability of healthcare interventions.

She noted that NEPWHAN, through the ATM Networks, was using a Community-Led Monitoring approach to engage stakeholders and promote ownership of health programmes.

The initiative, she said, was currently active in five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

In his remarks, Dr Enobong Akpan, Programme Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS (AKSACA), also stressed the need for community support in safeguarding health facilities.

He emphasised that the state government was actively working to reduce the prevalence of HIV, malaria, and TB, and urged citizens to avoid stigmatising those living with the conditions.

“With timely treatment, people living with these diseases can lead normal lives. Stigma remains a challenge, but we are addressing it,” Akpan said.

He added that community ownership was vital to the success of health programmes.

“Previously, people believed that all health efforts must come from the government.

“Now, we are bringing everyone to the table, making it clear that citizens must take ownership of the response,” he said.