…Decries persistent stock-out of TB. Malaria commodities

The Civil Society for the Eradication of Tuberculosis in Nigeria (TBNETWORK)  has urged the National Assembly to prioritize health financing, strengthen oversight of health programmes, and support policies that promote sustainable funding and accountability for HIV, TB and Malaria interventions.

The group identified challenges facing TB and Malaria programmes in the country to include frequent stock-outs of essential medicines and diagnostic commodities, shortages of skilled healthcare workers, weak health infrastructure and limited access to quality services, particularly in underserved communities and high out-of-pocket and transportation costs that discourage people from seeking care.
Speaking on behalf of the group during the National Advocacy-Focused Media Dissemination Meeting in Abuja,  Senior Programme Manager of the Civil Society for Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN, Mrs. Fatima Kolo said that findings from the group’s Community-Led Monitoring show several persistent challenges that continue to affect access to quality HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria services.

The meeting organised by the Civil Society for the Eradication of Tuberculosis in Nigeria (TB Network), on behalf of the ATM Networks, Network of People living With HIV/AIDS (NEPWHAN), and the Civil Society for Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN)  focused on advancing accountability for HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria Services in Nigeria.

She noted that while progress has been recorded, addressing these issues will require sustained commitment, stronger collaboration and increased investment across all levels of the health system.

Kolo explained that through the Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) initiative, the ATM Networks, TB Network, NEPWHAN and ACOMIN have worked with communities to gather evidence on the realities of accessing HIV, TB and Malaria services adding that the findings highlight both the progress made and the challenges that continue to affect service delivery.

She observed that stigma and discrimination has continued to affect access to services as well as delays in viral load testing and result turnaround, gaps in retention and continuity of treatment.limited awareness and uptake of HIV prevention services among priority populations.
 Kolo pointed out that TB programme in the country is specifically undermined by delayed diagnosis and treatment initiation, limited access to TB diagnostic services, especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities, periodic shortages of TB medicines and laboratory commodities and inadequate infection prevention and control measures in some health facilities.
On malaria, Kolo decried the stock-outs of malaria medicines and rapid diagnostic test kits, inadequate access to insecticide-treated mosquito nets and other prevention commodities and gaps in surveillance and timely response to malaria cases.

 She stated that these findings underscore the need for sustained investment in resilient health systems, uninterrupted access to essential commodities, meaningful community engagement, and stronger accountability to ensure that every Nigerian can access quality healthcare when and where it is needed.
 She said , “Nigeria has made notable progress in the fight against HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria through the collective efforts of government, communities, civil society and development partners. While these investments have improved access to life-saving services, many Nigerians still face barriers to timely, equitable and quality healthcare”.
She noted that the Meeting was designed to share these findings, showcase the contributions of communities and partners, and encourage the media to amplify community voices, promote accountability and stimulate action towards stronger health systems and better health outcomes for all Nigerians.

Kolo described the media as strategic partners in advocating for improved HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria (ATM) and broader healthcare service delivery in Nigeria through informed and evidence-based reporting.
She emphasized the need to promote media engagement in advancing public awareness, fostering accountability, influencing policy dialogue, and supporting positive social change in the national response to HIV, TB and Malaria.
Kolo said that the Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) initiative has given communities a stronger voice in improving HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria services stressing that by capturing the experiences of people who use these services, the initiative has helped identify what is working, where gaps remain, and what actions are needed to strengthen health service delivery.
She said, “The evidence shows encouraging progress in community engagement, collaboration between health facilities and service users, and greater responsiveness to community concerns. At the same time, it highlights persistent challenges, including shortages of health workers, frequent stock-outs of essential medicines and diagnostics, stigma and discrimination, weak health infrastructure, and barriers that continue to limit equitable access to quality healthcare”.

“These findings reinforce an important message: when communities are listened to, health systems become more responsive, accountable and effective. They also provide practical evidence to guide policy decisions, strengthen service delivery and improve health outcomes across Nigeria.The findings from the Integrated Community-Led Monitoring initiative highlight both the progress made and the challenges that continue to affect HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria service delivery in Nigeria. While communities have demonstrated that meaningful engagement can improve accountability and responsiveness, many of the issues identified require stronger policies, sustained investment and collective action”.

According to her, the findings also highlight the urgent need for stronger domestic investment, resilient health systems, uninterrupted access to essential medicines and diagnostics, and sustained collaboration among government, communities, civil society, development partners and the private sector.

She called on all stakeholders to translate community evidence into practical actions that strengthen health systems, improve service delivery and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.

Kolo urged the government to strengthen domestic investment in health, improve the availability of essential medicines and diagnostics, reinforce primary healthcare systems, and integrate community evidence into health planning, budgeting and decision-making.
She insisted that turning community evidence into meaningful action is critical to protecting the gains made and ensuring that every Nigerian has access to quality healthcare.

Kolo appealed to the media to amplify community voices, promote evidence-based reporting, highlight both progress and persistent gaps, and foster informed public dialogue that encourages accountability and actions.
She emphasized that building a resilient health system requires shared responsibility, adding that the government, communities, civil society, development partners, the private sector and the media must continue working together to strengthen accountability, sustain the gains achieved, and ensure that every Nigerian has access to equitable, people-centred and quality HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria services.