Group urges Anambra govt to fulfill counterpart funding for TB, Malaria Control

Chudi Ndubeze, Awka

Coalition of Civil Society Network on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM Network) has called on the Anambra State Government to fulfill its counterpart funding obligations for tuberculosis (TB), HIV and malaria control programs.

At a Media Roundtable brief on the COVID-19 Response Mechanism – Community Strengthening (C19RM CSS) project held in Awka, Saturday, ATM Anambra State Coordinator, Ify Unachukwu expressed concern that the government’s failure to meet its funding commitments could undermine efforts to combat diseases in the state.

According to Unachukwu, unfulfilled funding obligations had continued to create delays in program implementation at the same time weakening trust in government’s commitment to tackling the diseases.

She stressed the need to establish government ownership of the community-led monitoring framework and to develop ATM-specific financing strategy, drawing support from state, local governments as well as private sector and philanthropic actors.

“Looking forward, there is an urgent need to strengthen resource mobilization for HIV/AIDs, TB and Malaria in Anambra State.

“An ATM – specific financing strategy should be developed, drawing support not only from the State and local governments but also from the private sector and philanthropic actors.”

“Equally, it is important for the state government to demonstrate political will by consistently fulfilling it’s counterpart funding obligations for TB, HIV, and Malaria programs.

“Providing service delivery requires stronger community-based drug distribution systems and more deliberate campaigns to reduce stigma and misinformation.

“Most critically, government ownership of the community-led monitoring framework must be established. Institutionalizing CLM within State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and integrating it’s findings into health sector planning and performance reviews will go a long way in sustaining the progress achieved.”

Unachukwu disclosed that the project has already achieved tremendous results in the focal five local government areas it covered including Awka North, Idemili North, Njikoka, Onitsha North, and Orumba North, respectively.

“The community-led monitoring framework has provided structured evidence of gaps in service delivery at both the primary and secondary healthcare levels, which has helped to shape constructive engagement with the state ministry of health and the Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

“The 15 CBOs involved have been trained and empowered to play critical roles in advocacy, monitoring, and patient support, ward development committees have equally become more active in local health governance.”

The State Coordinator however made it known that the story of the C19RM project in Anambra State has demonstrated what communities can achieve when they are mobilized, equipped, and given the platform to speak.

She reminded that without sustained government commitment, particularly in the areas of funding, service delivery, and ownership of accountability systems, the gains can quickly fade.

She however called on all stakeholders especially government, to rise to the occasion and ensure that the fight against TB, HIV, and Malaria in Anambra State remains strong, community-driven, and sustainable.