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The civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) , Delta state chapter, and other Community base non profit organisations, engaged by “Catholic Relief Services” under Global Fund Malaria Grant, to work on Advocacy and Accountability on Global Malarial Project, have called on both State and Local Government Authority to increase budget allocation for Malaria intervention, and also to employ and deploy health workers across Primary Healthcare Centres in the state.
Speaking at the advocacy focused media meeting, held at the Delta state capital, Asaba, the state program officer, Itua Osasunmhen, said ACOMIN working with other CBOs have observed that there still exist a huge situation of underfunding for malaria intervention and insufficient staff in health facilities across the state and local government areas.
“One of the achievements recorded since the project started, happened in Adagbrasa Primary Healthcare Centre, (PHC) in Okpe LGA. This PHC was under lock and key during the first visit of the Community Accountability Team (CAT). Through series advocacy and courtesy visit to relevant stakeholders, the necessary steps were taken to reopen the facility to the community members. Four staff were also employed in that same health facility.
“In Delta state there are still challenges, they are as follows. There is a situation of inadequate funding for Malaria interventions both at state and local government level. The issue of Insufficient staff to man the health facilities is still lingering.
“We are therefore calling on the state and local government authority to increase their budgetary allocation for malaria intervention, and also to recruit and deploy health workers across the PHCs in the state.”
Speaking earlier, ACOMIN South South Coordinator, who is also the state chairman, Greg Sifo, tasked the media to press for more budgetary allocations for malaria intervention in states in their reportage.
He noted that the media was a crucial partner in the push for improved healthcare delivery and in the fight against diseases spread as it assists in creating both awareness on citizens and serves as pressure for better funding for health care system.
“People may not know that something of this nature happened without the media, ranging from the print, broadcasting, and new media. Is what shows people that you have been working. So, please am pleading with all the media here present to help us project our challenges to the relevant government agencies. You must make the government realise that there is need for more funding and recruitment of health, workers in malaria prevention.
“Finance has really been a constraint in having the media to work with us, hence we are pleading with the media to help humanity by making sure everyone need to know whats going on”
In goodwill messages from partners, government agencies and other nongovernmental Organisations present during the event applaud ACOMIN, for the humanitarian services and the success achieve so far.
The Executive Director of Development Initiative for Community Development, Rachael Misan-Ruppee, and the Executive Director of Community Empowerment and Development Initiative, Onose Martha, both ACOMIN CBOs, who also share their experiences, commends the effort and achievements made so far.
The Delta state programme Officer – Strategic Behaviour Change Communication, Society For Family Health, Mercy Momoh,in her presentation, appreciate the effort of the CBOs so far in getting lock and key PHCs to reopen for services, urging them further push for sustainability.
“The truth is, we are really making impact, it might be small but with time our effort has gained so much power, making us to improve in rating compare to way it use to be. Beacuse severaly when National Meetings are held, when is Delta turns to present, there is nothing to talk, we are always down there, and it pains my heart.”
Present at the media briefing, is the Executive Director, Delta state Primary Health Development Agency, Dr. Jude Winful-Orieke, reprensented by Eseoghene Duke-Utih, The Chairman, The Delta state Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Joseph Otirhue, represented by Agboyi Patricia, The Head of unit, Department of Budget, Ministry of Economic Planning, Emeka Okonkwo,represented by Emmanuel Dudu, and The Delta state Programme officer,Strategic Behaviour Change Communication, Society for Family Health (SFH), Mercy Momoh.
