Expert Wants Treated Nets In Taraba Healthcare Centres

A health expert in Taraba State, Muhd Danburam, has expressed concern over the unavailability of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) and Administrative Combination Therapy (ACTs) in some primary healthcare centres in the state.

Danburam, the state chairman of the Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), raised the alarm when he led a team on a high-level advocacy visit to the Taraba State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (TSPHCDA) and the Taraba State AIDS Control Agency (TACA).

He said the shortage compromises malaria prevention in pregnant women and case management efforts, as well as putting vulnerable groups, such as children under five years and women at high risk.

The affected facilities are High Mammy PHC in Takum and Pupule PHC in Yorro local government areas, while the ACTs are lacking at the Garba Chede PHC in Bali and Namnai in Gassol local government areas.

Danburam urged the agencies to address the gap, saying malaria prevention and HIV interventions in the state are already a challenge.

The team lead highlighted the gaps in service delivery, adding that the absence of HIV testing kits at Jatau Benyi PHC in Donga local government and the lack of male condoms at both Jatau Benyi PHC and Pupule PHC in Yorro local government areas were a threat to the people.

“These gaps are detrimental to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and undermine public health goals,” he said.

Mahmud Mohammed, who responded on behalf of TSPHCDA, assured that the local government rollback malaria officers would take immediate action.

Mohammed, also the Malaria Focal Person, added that the supply chain will be strengthened to ensure consistent distribution of ITNs and ACTs across affected facilities.

At TACA, Tsojon Paul Daniel, director of Prevention and Health Promotion, confirmed that HIV testing kits would be supplied to Jatau Benyi PHC in due course and that both Jatau Benyi and Pupule PHCs would be included in the following distribution cycle of male condoms.

Similarly, the state government has targeted about 1.6 million children for the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign, scheduled for October 18-27, 2025.

The director of Community Health, Chido Zakari, disclosed this at a one-day stakeholders’ meeting organised by the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA) in collaboration with key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and the Social Mobilisation Network in Jalingo.