Malaria: Provide Security, Staff, Drugs At Health Facilities - Osun ACOMIN To Government

Towards addressing the challenges of Malaria in Nigeria through selected states engaged by Catholic Relief Services under Global Fund, the Civil Society on Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) have called on Osun government to provide security, medical drugs and staff at the Primary Health Care facilities across the state. 

The call was made on Wednesday at a media briefing on the Global Malaria Community-led Monitoring Project being implemented in Osun.

The call became imperative regarding the challenges of lack of adequate staff, medical drugs, security among others which hinders the provision of anti malaria services to the people of the communities.

The fight against malaria through the community centered initiatives, such as the community led monitoring project by ACOMIN, brings advantages to the target beneficiaries.

These advantages include increased ingenuity, flexibility tackling challenges by identifying and addressing the root cause of failed interventions and enhanced accountability among others. 

In his address, the Osun ACOMIN Chairman, Aremu Stephen Akinyele pointed out the improvement of the malaria services to the selected eight local governments in Osun.

He also commended the Community Based Organizations (CBOs) for their efforts in ensuring that malaria is nipped to the bud in the state.

"Osun government agencies in partnership with ACOMIN are doing well with their support and attention to details."

He added that the government still needs to do more as regards security and staff, which is hindering access to malaria treatment without facing hindrance of no health staff, no sufficient medical drugs or security to protect staff working night shift at the health facilities."

He appreciated communities which have supported ACOMIN with little provision of staff and security paid for by them.

He also pointed out the challenges of drug resistance by the malaria parasite.

Speaking separately, Adeeyo Comfort, Malaria Desk officer, Primary Health Board, Dr Emmanuel Awerim from Management Science for Heath, and other Community Based Organizations leaders, applauded the ACOMIN life-saving initiatives.

They stressed that Osun state ACOMIN have been consistent in its roles.

"The prevention of malaria begins with you and myself, expressed gladness that ACOMIN is winning the battle of the fight against malaria despite the challenges encountered."

They pointed out that the issue of manpower in the state health sector is affecting the services at the primary health care centers at the communities.

The stakeholders who called out for help of the health centers, added that people needs to enjoy what is being delivered to them.

"If staff or security are not available at the facilities, the few drugs provided will get expired."

They also called on residence of the communities to make use of the commodities and facilities.