…demand recruitment of professional health officials
For Ekiti State Government to achieve the goal of ending Malaria, Tuberculosis, HIV and Gender Based Violence, the National Health Insurance program enjoyed by the formal sector must be extended to other citizens of Nigeria, particularly the poor and most vulnerable.
In addition, government must recruit more professional health workers and make available adequate testing kits in all the health care facilities across the state.
The organizations are the Civil Society for the Eradication of Tuberculosis in Nigeria, TB Network, the Civil Society in Malaria Control Immunization and Nutrition and the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) made the suggestions during her quarterly media briefing on update about the C19RM Community-Led Monitoring initiative being implemented in Ekiti State and sponsored by Global fund.
Addressing Journalists on behalf of the tripartite team, the Coordinator, TB Network, Dr. Taiwo Benson affirmed that all hands must be on deck to ensure improved access to health care and necessary tests in the state.
He noted that the C19RM Community-Led Monitoring initiative being implemented in Ekiti State has yielded appreciable successes this year among which are resuscitation of night Shift at Basic Health Center, BHC Erio as a result of the availability of night guard, respiration of electricity to Ijan Basic Health Centre, BHC block B, extension of the culvert at CHC Afao to enable cars to drive into the compound. Also at the same facility, 4 ad hoc staff were engaged at gardeners and cleaners through the O YES program of the LGA.
Other success include, a community Stakeholder purchased herbicide and paid for the spraying of the CHC Adin Ilawe compound, Community effort repaired labour ward window nets, benches and cleared the bushes at BHC Ilogbo, renovations of physical structures at the facilities at Iluomoba BHC, Igbara-Odo BHC, Improved sanitation by providing toilets at BHC Igbara-odo, purchase of water pumping machine and fixing of pipes to run water into the facility at BHC Ijan, rovision of hospital equipment at BHC Oke Emo, BHC Aisegba, purchased of four hospital beds at Osi BHC, Ido/Osi LGA, repair of labour ward window nets, benches and cleared the bushes at BHC Ilogbo, a community member built the family planning unit at CHC Afao, Ikere, just to mention but a few.
Speaking on GBV, Dr. Benson said:” The Civil Society for the Eradication of Tuberculosis in Nigeria urged stakeholders to combat the rising cases of gender-based violence in our society. We implore every citizen not to remain silent. Let us unite our efforts to eradicate this menace from our nation. If you witness something, please speak out.
In addition, the Coordinator ACOMIN, Sir Olu Ogunrotimi advocated improved funding and finances for primary health facilities and must be properly monitored to avoid mismanagement.
Also NEPWHAN Coordinator, Pastor Oluwafemi Oyewole noted that every ward should commit to health promotion and education programs to increase awareness of prevention measures; and promote community participation and adherence to evidence-based strategies.