ACOMIN moves to ensure malaria elimination in Gombe
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
State Coordinator, Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Mrs. Hassana Maisanda, says through combined efforts malaria would be eliminated in Gombe State.
Maisanda made this disclosure in her address at Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), grant state media meeting in Gombe.
She revealed that through the support from Global Fund, Catholic Relief Services, eight (8) LGAs are benefitting from various interventions, towards eliminating malaria scourge in the state.
She said, “The LGA’s are; Akko, Balanga, Billiri, Dukku, Funakaye, Kaltungo, kwami and Yamaltu Deba.
“The Project will be referred to as Community-led monitoring (CLM), is a technique initiated and implmented by local community-based organizations and other civil society groups, affected groups or other community entities that gathers quantitative and qualitative data about services.
“The focus is on getting input from service providers, recipients of the services and the affected communities in a routine and systematic manner that will translate into action and change.”
Maisanda noted that through advocacy and community support, alot have been achieved in ensuring enhanced healthcare and uptake of malaria interventions.
“We discovered lack of seats in Gwaram, ACOMIN in collaboration with community members mobilised resources and procured seats for the facility the State Programme Officer, was there to receive the seats and books for record keeping which the items were presented to the facility in charge.
“This initiative is focused on making available quality malaria services; improved budgetary appropriation and community investment and improved human resources for health. We have far reaching achievements with tremendous results by involving the communities in monitoring and taking ownership of the health outcomes. Some of the most recent successes recorded on the CLM project in the state include,” Maisanda added.
Also, State programme Officer (ACOMIN), Samuel Chuwang, said part of the goal of the organization is to ensure the optimum utilization of commodities.
Chuwang while bemoaning poor structures in some communities, added that alot more would be achieved in tackling challenges faced in the quest to tackle the scourge of malaria.
“Even to the community dwellers, we ensure they utilize the value of the drugs, using proper awareness,” he said.
Chuwang added, “There is need for increased funding for malaria interventions by government at all levels. Support for the project implementation in terms of human resource development. There is also need for government to claim ownership for sustainability plan and support in improving the quality of health service delivery.”
Highlight of the media conference, include comments from representative of Society for Family Health (SFH), Executive Directors of Community based Organizations, and Civil Society Organizations, were among stakeholders present at the meeting.
