Participants at a two-day step-down training on the operational modalities of the National Community-Led Monitoring Plan in Nasarawa State have called for community-driven policies and increased local funding to ensure sustainable access to healthcare at the grassroots level across Nigeria.
The training, held in Lafia, brought together leaders of Community-Based Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), representatives of health-related government agencies, and officials from the National Human Rights Commission. During the session, participants reviewed the National Community Systems Strengthening (NCSS) and Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) frameworks aimed at enhancing the country’s health system.
The National Community Systems Strengthening Framework emphasizes the critical role of community structures in improving healthcare access, enhancing disease surveillance, and promoting economic empowerment. Designed under the Global Fund’s Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) and COVID-19 Response Mechanism, the framework underscores the contribution of civil society in responding to public health crises, including COVID-19, Ebola, HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Addressing participants, the Director of Community and Family Health Services at the Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Absalom Madawa, stressed that global health policies now require stronger internal mechanisms to guarantee quality, accessible healthcare at the grassroots.
The Tuberculosis and ACOMIN State Coordinators, Mrs. Mary Ashenanye and Mr. Jonah Aboki, also advocated for empowering local groups to take active roles in managing community health systems to ensure efficiency and sustainability.
Similarly, Mr. Abel Okopi of the National Human Rights Commission, Hajiya Safiya Ibrahim Yahuza of the Nasarawa State AIDS Control Agency, and Mr. Ibrahim Samaila urged the government to prioritize accountability and increase funding to boost community participation in healthcare delivery.
On his part, the State Coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Mr. Jonathan Hamza, represented by Mrs. Ruth Dauda, highlighted that the framework promotes result-oriented community engagement by fostering stronger collaboration between stakeholders to strengthen the health system. (Radio Nigeria)