CSO Seeks Increased Funding For AIDS, Tuberculosis, Other Chronic Diseases

A civil society organisation (CSO) operating in Nigeria under the aegis of ACOMIN, has called on the Federal and Cross River State governments to step up support and funding for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM) so that the prevalence of chronic diseases troubling citizens of the country can be reduced if not completely eradicated.

Cross River State coordinator for ACOMIN, Pastor Effiong Effiong, made the call while speaking at a Media Roundtable Discussion with journalists in Calabar on Friday.

The coordinator, who engaged journalists on COVID-19 Response Mechanism and Sustainable System for Health (C19RM/RSSH) Project, averred that through the advocacy to decision makers at the national, state and local government area levels, alot has been achieved.

He stressed that through the community-centred initiative being implemented by ACOMIN, the community secured a new structure with chairs for the health centre in Woleche Ward, Yala LGA of Cross River State.

Effiong averred that following constant advocacy by the organisation, alot of transformation took place with most Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) were upgraded in the five LGAs of Abi, Boki, Obudu, Odukpani and Yala in the State.

He enumerated the giant strides recorded by the organisation due to the advocacy to include; provision of consumables to healthcare facilities in five LGAs of Cross River State.

He stressed that through constant advocacy by the community-based organisation (CBO), Bunyia community in Boki LGA and Agbara that hitherto lacked medical facilities subsequently got a healthcare centre through the community self-help effort.

He said a set of new BP apparatus was provided by the community to Ediba Primary Healthcare Centre, stressing that through the advocacy, the community provided 10 new mattrasses to Ugep Healthcare Centre in Boki LGA.

Other areas where the CBO’s advocacy yielded result include provision of two security personnel for protection of the healthcare facility in Bebuabong community urban one in Obudu LGA.

Clearing of grass and evacuation of waste dumped close to the medical facilities across the five LGAs were done by the community on monthly basis through advocacy carried out by the CSO, to ensure that the healthcare facility environment is kept clean.

The irganisation called on government and relevant stakeholders at all levels to support the CBOs implementing the project in the State towards improving health outcomes.