By Magnus Emuji
ASABA/Nigeria: A non-governmental organization, the Civil Society Organization on Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), has emphasized the need for stakeholders to work together in strengthening Nigeria’s community health system for improved service delivery.
The Delta State Programme Officer of ACOMIN, Juliet Obiajulu, who made the call during a media roundtable discussion held in Asaba, said government at all levels must prioritize health system strengthening through increased and better-targeted investments.
Obiajulu noted that ACOMIN has continued to play a critical role in improving Nigeria’s community health structure with support from the Global Fund through the Community Led Monitoring (CLM) initiative under GC7.
She explained that the CLM engages citizens to actively identify service delivery gaps, advocate solutions, and hold healthcare providers accountable, thereby contributing to better outcomes in the community health system.
The State Programme Officer observed that several challenges threaten the quality delivery of essential HIV, TB, and malaria services, noting that many healthcare facilities grapple with inadequate manpower, drug and commodity stock-outs, and infrastructural decay.
Highlighting ACOMIN’s achievements within the last six months, Obiajulu said the NGO recorded over 27 notable successes, including an intervention by the State Advocacy Team (SAT) that led to the resolution of staff shortages at Ugbomanta Primary Healthcare Centre in Oshimili South LGA, following the posting of a Nurse/Midwife by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Charles Eboka.
She also listed other achievements such as the acquisition of delivery and circumcision sets at Jakpa PHC, the resolution of water challenges at Okponta PHC in Oshimili North, the replacement of damaged locks at Cable PHC, and the fixing of a faulty door at Egini Primary Healthcare Centre in Udu LGA, among several others.
Earlier, the State Chairman of ACOMIN, Pastor Gregory Sifo, said the media roundtable was organized to brief journalists on the organization’s activities and achievements.
Sifo noted that the state government, through the Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, was undertaking massive renovation of healthcare facilities across the state, adding that ACOMIN was intervening in 36 PHCs through various projects.
State partners, including the Programme Manager of the State Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. (Mrs.) Julie Aniah; the State NEPWHAN Coordinator, Mr. Christopher Ogberetinor; the representative of the State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Mrs. Grace Sifo; the representative of the State TB/Leprosy Control Programme, Dr. Francis Bakpa; the Director of Nursing Services, Delta State Local Government Service Commission, Mrs. Patricia Enafoma; and Pastor (Mrs.) Ronke Akinwumi of the Redeemed Church, commended ACOMIN for its impact on the state’s health system.
Mrs. Enafoma said the three thematic areas—TB, HIV, and malaria—were essential components of public health, adding that the Local Government Service Commission was working toward securing government approval for the employment of additional nurses and other health personnel across PHCs.
On her part, Pastor Akinwumi said her church had been enlightening members on health and gender-based issues and promised to invite ACOMIN to speak on GBV and GHR at her Province’s next annual programme.
Mrs. Grace Sifo announced that the World HIV/AIDS Day commemoration would hold from November 28 to December 1, 2025, and expressed concern over the insufficient number of HIV test kits nationwide, saying urgent action was required to address the gap.
