Idara Jerome, Uyo
The Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) team has called for improved access to HIV prevention services in Akwa Ibom State, following the identification of shortages of HIV test kits and condoms at some health facilities.
The team made the call during an advocacy visit to the Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS (AKSACA), where it presented findings from its routine monitoring of health facilities.
According to the team, feedback from healthcare workers and clients showed that the limited availability of HIV test kits and condoms in some facilities could deny people timely access to HIV testing and other prevention services.
The CLM team therefore appealed to AKSACA to ensure timely redistribution and restocking of the commodities and strengthen its monitoring system to reduce repeated shortages.
In response, the AKSACA Programme Manager appreciated the team for bringing the issues to the attention of the agency and requested a list of facilities affected by the shortages for appropriate action.
He said a new supply of HIV test kits had arrived after a period of limited availability and assured that the kits would be redistributed to facilities in need.
On condoms, the agency noted that some Family Planning units had supplies and called for better coordination among service providers to ensure that eligible clients could access the commodities.
Following the engagement, the CLM team worked with officers in charge of Family Planning units in the affected facilities to improve collaboration and make available condoms more accessible to clients.
A follow-up visit by the team one week after the advocacy engagement showed improved availability of HIV test kits in the affected facilities.
The CLM team said the development showed the importance of community monitoring in drawing attention to gaps in health services and encouraging timely action by relevant authorities.
In a related intervention, the team has also sought community support to address some pressing needs at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Oku.
The team engaged a community philanthropist, Dr. Ndifreke Harry Etim, after the Ward Development Committee identified him as a possible community resource who could support improvements at the facility.
During the engagement, the CLM team presented some of the challenges identified at the PHC, including inadequate electricity supply, security concerns and the need for a perimeter fence.
It appealed to Etim to consider supporting the facility with the payment of its outstanding electricity bill and assistance towards the construction of a perimeter fence.
Etim expressed interest in supporting the identified needs and said he would explore ways of assisting with the electricity bill and the proposed fencing of the facility.
He also asked the CLM team to maintain contact with him to facilitate follow-up on the proposed support.
The CLM team said the advocacy efforts were aimed at ensuring that concerns identified through community monitoring lead to practical solutions.
It reaffirmed its commitment to working with government agencies, health workers, community leaders and other stakeholders to improve access to quality healthcare and ensure that the concerns of people using health facilities are heard and addressed.
