CSO Raises Concerns Over Slow PHCCs Renovation Pace and Malaria Stockouts in Taraba
By Kator Terseer, Jalingo
The Association of Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization, and Nutrition (ACOMIN), implementing the Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) project, has expressed concern over the slow pace of ongoing renovations at several Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs) across the state.
Alhaji Muhammad Danburam, ACOMIN State chairman disclosed this during a stakeholder advocacy visit to the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA) on May 22, 2025.
The team raised alarms on how the slow pace of the renovation is affecting healthcare service delivery and patient well-being.
He noted that clients receiving care at the affected facilities reportedly complained that the sluggish pace of construction work was severely disrupting operations.
Some patients were said to have spend most time of the day outside the wards than inside the wards.
He stressed that the situation poses serious health and safety risks, saying medical equipment and furniture evacuated from the facilities were left exposed to weather conditions, with some items already affected by rainfall, a development he said could result in significant asset losses.
Danburam appealed for urgent action, calling on the Federal, Taraba State Government and relevant stakeholders to support the contractors to expedite the renovation work and ensure completion within the stipulated time-frame.
Responding, Mr. Bello Kakulu, Director of Primary Health Care at the Taraba State PHC Development Agency, acknowledged the concerns raised and assured the team of swift action.
He pledged to notify the contractors of the observations and ensure prompt follow-up to speed up the renovation process.
The team also extended its advocacy visit to the Management Sciences for Health (MSH) office in Jalingo, where they addressed critical supply chain challenges in the fight against malaria.
The team reported stock-outs of essential malaria commodities, including Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), Rapid Diagnostic Test kits (RDTs), routine Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), and the unavailability of free Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) for preventive treatment in several facilities in the state.
MSH Taraba State Team Lead, Mr. Othaniel Kighir, also assured the team of immediate action, even as he pledged to facilitate the prompt restocking of ACTs, RDTs, and other vital antimalarial supplies in the affected health facilities.
Correspondent reports that advocacy efforts by ACOMIN and its partners is aimed to improve healthcare delivery and enhanced access to essential services for the people of Taraba State.
