Group urges multi-stakeholder support to strengthen Nigeria’s Community Health System

Kenechukwu Ofomah

Awka

The Civil Society in Malaria, Immunization and Nutrition, ACOMIN has expressed confidence over the possibility of functional and effective community health system in Nigeria, if all health stakeholders work collaboratively towards supporting the system.

The position was made in Awka during the presentation of a brief on the implementation of the Global Fund Malaria Community-Led Monitoring Project being implemented by Malaria Eradication and Safe Health Initiative of Nigeria, MESHI under the supervision of ACOMIN.

The project is going on simultaneously in 13 states in the country and in every state, one facility is selected as a pilot, to show what can be achieved if government attention is properly focused.

In Anambra, the project is being implemented in the Primary Healthcare Centres in Nibo and Umuawulu, both in Awka South council Area of the state.

Addressing newsmen during a meeting where the brief was presented in Awka, the executive Director of MESHI, Prof Dennis Aribodor noted that across Nigerian Communities, challenges of staff shortage, commodities stock-out and infrastructure gap have continued to threaten the quality delivery of essential HIV, TB, and Malaria services that millions of community members rely on. 

He explained that under the Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) initiative, ACOMIN empowers citizens to participate actively in identifying service delivery gaps, advocating for solutions, and holding duty-bearers accountable, thereby contributing to improving community health systems and outcomes.

Aribodor, who is a Professor of Public Health Parasitology at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said in Anambra State, the initiative has yielded visible successes at the facilities where it is being implemented such as improved work environment, improved health workforce attendance and availability, as well as increase in community patronage and support for the PHCs.

“Low community patronage was resolved through advocacy visits to the Women Town Union and other community influencers. These engagements encouraged women and families to utilize the PHC for their health needs. As a result, community support improved significantly, and more residents began accessing services at the health center,” he said.

The MESHI ED, who emphasized the need to move from shortages to sustainable solutions, on behalf of ACOMIN, urged all stakeholders to get involved, act decisively, and collaboratively to strengthen Nigeria’s community health system

“Federal, state, and local governments must prioritize health systems strengthening through increased and better-targeted investments. This includes recruiting and retaining qualified health workers, ensuring a consistent supply of HIV, TB, and malaria commodities also; renovating and expanding dilapidated facilities. 

“The business community and philanthropic organizations have a crucial role to play in bridging existing resource gaps. By partnering with the government and civil society, they can sponsor staff welfare initiatives, supply essential medical commodities, and support the refurbishment of healthcare infrastructure. 

“The media remain a vital ally in amplifying community voices, spotlighting the realities on the ground, and holding decision-makers accountable. Journalists and broadcasters can help sustain public attention on health sector challenges, advocate for transparency in resource allocation, and celebrate success stories of communities driving change through the Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) initiative.

“Community, traditional, and religious leaders play a vital role in strengthening trust and accountability within the health system. We encourage them to mobilize their communities to actively participate in monitoring the delivery of HIV, TB, and Malaria services, ensuring that identified gaps in staffing, health commodities supplies, and infrastructure are brought to the attention of relevant authorities. By leveraging their influence, these leaders can foster behavioral change, dispel myths about healthcare services, and advocate for improved government and partner investments in health facilities,” Aribodor said.

Earlier in her remarks, the State ACOMIN Coordinator, Mrs Chioma Okeke said the CLM initiative has greatly impacted the pilot facilities, and commended the Global Fund for their intervention.

She harped on the need for the state government to effectively key into the project, to ensure its sustainability when the funding partner pulls out.

In a goodwill message, the Programme Manager, Anambra State Malaria Elimination Programme, Pharm. Nonso Ndibe, said the role of the Civil Society in the initiative is very pivotal in mobilizing both the government and other players towards the success of any health campaign, as they boast of a deep grassroot base.

According to him, their input in the campaign against malaria, HIV, tuberculosis and other diseases has yielded amazing results.

In their goodwill message, a community leader, Chief Sunday Nweke Nwolisa, representing the traditional ruler of Umuawulu, Igwe Joel Egwuonwu, and the Officer in Charge of Umuawulu Primary Health Centre, one of the pilot facilities, attested to the successes of the CLM initiative, calling for increased support to ensure greater result.