Stakeholders in Nasarawa State have stressed the need for increase funding and more manpower to enhance better results in tackling HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria in the state.
The stakeholders made the call during a one day media roundtable in Lafia the Nasarawa State capital.
The media roundtable was to review the level of implementation of the federal government Resilient and Sustainable System for Health Project in Nasarawa State.
The Project which is funded by the Global Fund to tackle HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria is being implemented in five local government areas of Doma, Lafia, Akwanga, Keffi and Karu in Nasarawa State.
Nasarawa State Programme Officer of the Nigerian Resilient and Sustainable System for Health, Mrs Patience Samson, said given the outcomes of the Civil Society Groups advocacy visits to over sixty primary healthcare centres in the state, there was need for government to set aside substantial intervention funds for Hiv Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria programmes.
Executive Director, Nasarawa State Aids Control Agency, Dr Ruth Bello pointed out that the drive to eliminate HIV Aids by 2030, was achievable if private individuals, groups and organizations were committed to supporting government towards strengthening healthcare facilities for effective service delivery.
State Programme Coordinator on Tuberculosis, Mr Jonah Aboki and that of Malaria programme Mrs Mary Asheneye stressed the need for more sensitization and adequate provision of drugs to healthcare facilities in the rural areas.
Speaking separately, the state Secretary General Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) Imam Muhammad Ali and the State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Reverend Sunday Emmah remarked that religious leaders will not relent in advocating for better health care delivery to the citizens.
15 community based civil society organizations, religious and community leaders as well as the media attended the meeting.