Abia PHC Agency Intensifies HIV, TB Response Across Healthcare Facilities

Abia PHC Agency Intensifies HIV, TB Response Across Healthcare Facilities

The Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Kalu U. Kalu, says the Agency is doing everything possible to strengthen HIV and TB response across all Primary Healthcare facilities in the state.

Dr. Kalu stated this in his office shortly after receiving members of the Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights, led by the Advocacy Team Leader, Mr. Jude Obialor, who presented an advocacy brief on Infrastructure Renovation and Integrated Disease Screening Pathways.

He commended the organisation for undertaking the community-led monitoring initiative in the state.

The Executive Secretary identified HIV and TB as highly specialised areas, noting that the responsibilities of Primary Healthcare Supervisors at the local government level are focused on sensitising people in rural communities on the causes and symptoms of the diseases.

He added that the state government’s 750 healthcare facilities are committed to community-based treatment aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.

He disclosed that the Primary Healthcare Centre at Ukwu Nwangwu in Isuikwuato LGA has been included in the next batch of healthcare facilities to be retrofitted by the government. Dr. Kalu further stated that the Agency has been providing incentive packages to pregnant women and appreciated Governor Dr. Alex Otti for his investments in the health sector, including the renovation of 277 healthcare facilities across the state to improve healthcare outcomes.

Speaking earlier, the Advocacy Team Leader of the Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights, Mr. Jude Obialor, said the organisation’s core mission in conducting data collection among beneficiaries of HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria services in healthcare facilities is to generate community-based evidence that will help improve the public health ecosystem.

He explained that the project is funded by the Global Fund through the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria and implemented by the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

Mr. Obialor noted that the organisation successfully conducted 1,800 client exit interviews between January and June this year across 10 selected Primary Healthcare Centres in Bende, Isiala Ngwa South, Isuikwuato and Umuahia North LGAs.

He appealed to the government and relevant agencies to support efforts aimed at providing quality healthcare services for the people.

He stated that community awareness of healthcare services stands at 81.7 percent, warning that severe infrastructural decay and fragmented diagnostic pathways could undermine patient safety.