Insecurity Hampering TB, HIV/AIDS, Malaria Services In Zamfara – TB Network

Insecurity remains a major challenge to the delivery of Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Malaria services in Zamfara State.

The Zamfara State TB Network disclosed this  during a Media Round Table (MRT) meeting organised in Gusau, the state capital, to address challenges surrounding stock-outs of commodities and treatment of ATM diseases in the state.

Speaking at the meeting, the State Project Officer (SPO), Yahaya Muhammad, said the meeting was aimed at strengthening partnership with media practitioners to improve the activities of the project in the state.

Muhammad said apart from stock-out of commodities, the network was in dire need of government and stakeholders’ intervention in addressing security challenges that had created gaps in ATM service delivery across many parts of the state.

According to him, a large number of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria patients had fled their communities due to activities of terrorists to other places where they could not access health facilities for continued treatment.

The meeting discussed persistent stock-outs of essential commodities for TB, HIV/AIDS and malaria services and its impact on patients and healthcare delivery, and suggested inviting key stakeholders to a meeting where the challenges could be presented and discussed to find practical solutions.

The meeting also recommended engagement of the media and institutionalisation of public awareness campaigns to sustain attention on challenges affecting ATM service delivery.

It disclosed that the TB Network had procured drugs to support the state in addressing the challenge of TB drug stock-outs, while expressing concern over stigmatisation of some patients when accessing ATM services.

According to the meeting, some patients in Bela district had stopped visiting health facilities to collect their medication because of stigmatisation, describing the situation as alarming and requiring urgent attention.

The meeting recommended door-to-door sensitisation in communities where Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) activities are being implemented, emphasising the importance of educating community members about ATM diseases, encouraging patients to seek care without fear and promoting acceptance and support for people receiving treatment.

The SPO said arrangements were being made to facilitate an advocacy meeting with Governor Dauda Lawal to present findings from CLM activities and seek government support in addressing identified gaps in ATM service delivery.

The Director of Administration of the Hospital Management Board (HSMB) assured the meeting of the board’s readiness to support CLM activities.