The Rivers State Focal Person TB Network, Mr. Messiah Muzan who made this known during a briefing in Port Harcourt explained that Nigeria faces a significant disease burden, ranking sixth globally for Tuberculosis and TB/HIV co-infection, while contending with the world’s highest malaria burden and second-largest HIV/AIDS population.
According to Mr. Muzan, these diseases are deeply linked to socioeconomic inequality and poverty, which limit access to healthcare and information, including high out-of-pocket expenses and geographical barriers such as patients traveling over 30 km to access care which contribute to negative health outcomes.
He explained that the Integrated Community-Led Monitoring, ICLM, Project which comprises the TB Network, NEPWHAN, and ACOMIN is collaborating with the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria on the Global Fund to address health system and infrastructure gaps to ensure sustainable and effective outcomes, Integrate communities and civil society into the healthcare response and identify and mitigate barriers such as stigma, discrimination, and gender issues.
To progress in the fight against these diseases and gender-based violence, Mr. Muzan through the ICLM project called upon government, development partners, to release funds for medical procurement to prevent drug-resistant TB extend the Health insurance to vulnerable, low-income populations, also to prioritize health education and encourage citizens to support their local Primary Health Care services.
The ICLM projected is coordinated by TB Network in eleven states, including Rivers State, where the project is implemented across 3 LGAs, 99 wards, and over 200 health facilities.
