The Civil Society for Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Yobe State chapter, has called for improvements in the healthcare system to address persistent gaps in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM).
   
Speaking at a media briefing in Damaturu, the state’s ACOMIN Programme Officer, Mukhtar Shehu, emphasised the importance of community-led monitoring in ensuring accountability and effective utilisation of international health funds.
  
The briefing brought together government officials, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), journalists and community stakeholders to examine challenges affecting Nigeria’s response to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria despite substantial investments by the Global Fund and government agencies.
   
The event underscored the critical role of community participation, local oversight and strategic partnerships in ensuring that international health funding translates into tangible improvements in healthcare delivery and outcomes for residents of Yobe State.
  
Shehu disclosed that the initiative currently works with 18 active community groups, including journalists, fund managers, representatives of the National Malaria Elimination Programme and officials of the Yobe State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
  
While acknowledging progress recorded through government interventions and Global Fund support, he identified several challenges hindering effective service delivery. These include weak referral systems, treatment interruptions, shortages of trained healthcare workers, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited access to testing and treatment services, as well as economic and transportation barriers.
  
According to him, evidence generated through community-led monitoring indicates that service delivery gaps continue to negatively affect health outcomes in many communities.
   
He urged stakeholders to strengthen referral mechanisms, ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines and diagnostic services, invest in healthcare workforce development, expand community-based screening programmes and reduce financial barriers to healthcare access.
  
Also speaking, a Programme Officer with the Communal Conservation Friendly, Health and Social Development Support Initiative (COCOSOHDI), Kabiru Sumaila, said many residents were unaware that ATM-related services are provided free of charge.
  
He called for increased public awareness campaigns to improve access to available healthcare services and urged residents to maintain clean environments to reduce mosquito breeding sites and curb malaria transmission.
  
Other participants, including representatives of partner organisations, shared their achievements and challenges during the period under review.
  
Among them were Abubakar Adamu of Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Amos Misheli of Hope Interactive and Mohammed Kachallah of the Freedom Initiative for Advancement of Humanity, who highlighted the collaborative and multi-sectoral approach being deployed to improve health outcomes across the state.