CSOs Advocate Improvements in Primary Health Care Services

By Prosper Okoye

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have urged the government to enhance the state of primary health care in Nigeria. The call was made by groups including the Tuberculosis Network, National Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NAPWHAN), and the Malaria and Immunization Network during an advocacy visit to the National Primary Health Care Development Board in Abuja on Monday.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Theresa Jatau, TB Network Grant and Program Manager, called for more resources to address issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, which remain significant public health threats. “The replacement of manpower due to the retirement of health workers, as well as the training and mentoring of primary health care staff, are urgently needed,” she stated.

Jatau explained that the advocacy arose from the identified needs during the implementation of the Global Fund grant. The project, which has been ongoing for about four years, is being carried out in 21 states and was initiated to address issues such as sexual and gender-based violence that emerged following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Through our regular advocacy efforts to stakeholders and everyone with the power to effect change at various levels, we have seen some improvements. For instance, some primary health care centres were rebuilt, and drugs, along with other necessities, were donated by community members. We have been able to encourage stakeholders to take ownership of these health centres and improve them for their people,” Jatau said.

She further highlighted the challenges posed by government bureaucracy and the unwillingness to address issues that have been raised, leaving some communities without access to primary health care services. However, she assured that advocacy efforts would continue and be sustained even after the grant ends, as community members have been trained to maintain implementation.

Also speaking, Mrs. Elizabeth Iyabo, Head of Advocacy Communication for Social Mobilization, who received the CSOs, said efforts are underway to improve the manpower situation at the PHCs and assured that more would be done to address other issues raised. She lamented that in areas where health services, such as vaccinations, were available, community members were either unwilling to participate or rejected the vaccines.

“The advocacy visit is important because we need to exchange ideas and speak with one voice. When people do not trust health workers, we cannot succeed in any implementation. We welcome collaborations as we work together for our shared development,” Iyabo said.

TB Network Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Henry Omah, urged the public to disregard misinformation about vaccines and to always seek health care services from primary health care centres, as they are reliable and accessible.