ACOMIN tasks govt on malaria treatment for all

Civil Society for Malaria control, Immunisation, and Nutrition (ACOMIN), has tasked the government, and its agencies with free treatment of malaria for citizens.

Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, State Coordinator Hassana Maisanda said the treatment of malaria as the commonest ailment should be made free with unhindered access.

Misanda said, “Every person irrespective of their socio-economic class, gender, ethnicity, demography, and location should have equal rights and unrestricted access to malaria and other healthcare services.”

She also called on the government to ensure the fortification of the health system, adding that until communities are made to take ownership the combat against malaria may be a far cry.

“The civil society also encourages building the resilience of the community health systems which can be achieved by promoting community ownership and investment in health systems. When strong health systems are in place, it is almost certain that efforts put in to fight malaria will be effective. trackable and sustainable, especially at the community level,” Maisanda said.

While enumerating the gains of partnership in ensuring the elimination of Malaria, Maisanda said a lot still needed to be achieved.

She added, “Community investments in health have noticeably improved since the introduction of the Community-led Monitoring (CLM) project being implemented by ACOMIN, with support from the Global Fund (GF) On this grant, ACOMIN and its member Community-based Organisations (CBOS) are working in 8 LGAS within Gombe State namely Akko. Yamaltu Deba. Kaltungo. Kwami. Dukku, Billiri. Funakayi and Balanga The CBOS implementing the project were equipped with knowledge, skills and resources needed to empower community members to take ownership and invest in their own health. As a result, several successes are consistently being recorded.”

Also speaking, Programme Manager of ACOMIN Samuel Chuwang called on the government to increase budgetary allocations to health, especially malaria elimination, adding that would mark an end to curbing it.

On her part, Betty Kathy of the National Malaria Elimination Programme called for community engagement, while lamenting the use of mosquito nets to cover farmlands.

Kathy said, “If the person you are giving Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN), is not using it then all the efforts do not make sense. It is the responsibility of us at this level to ensure they are aware.

“As we speak, we have people even within cities using mosquito nets to cover their farm to cover where they keep animals but the aim is beyond that. It is absolutely off from the purpose how do we build the resilience since every effort counts.”