A coalition of civil society organisations has released a nationwide assessment showing that Nigerians in many rural and underserved communities still face serious barriers to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria services.
The Integrated Community Led Monitoring initiative was implemented by the Civil Society for the Eradication of Tuberculosis in Nigeria, the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria and the Association of Civil Society Organisations in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition.
The groups worked with communities to document experiences at health facilities and presented their findings at a national media and advocacy meeting in Abuja.
The report identified shortages of skilled workers, frequent depletion of medicines and diagnostic supplies, weak infrastructure and limited access to quality care. High transport costs and direct payments also discourage patients from seeking treatment.
For HIV services, the assessment highlighted stigma and discrimination, delayed viral load testing, slow return of results, treatment retention challenges and limited awareness of prevention services among priority populations.
For tuberculosis, the study found delays in diagnosis and treatment, periodic shortages of medicines and laboratory materials, and inadequate infection prevention measures in some facilities.
Malaria services were affected by shortages of medicines and rapid test kits, inadequate access to insecticide treated nets, low public awareness and weaknesses in surveillance and response.
Senior Operations Manager of ACOMIN, Fatima Kolo, said Nigeria had made progress through cooperation among government, communities, civil society and development partners, but major inequalities remained.
The coalition said stronger community participation had improved accountability in some areas. It nevertheless called for sustained investment in health workers, essential commodities, infrastructure and monitoring systems.
The organisations also urged government agencies to use community evidence in policy decisions and asked the media to promote accurate, evidence based reporting on health services.
