The Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights, in collaboration with the TB Network and the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), has embarked on a two-day advocacy visit to key government institutions in Abia State as part of efforts to promote inclusive healthcare and protect the rights of tuberculosis (TB) patients and people living with HIV/AIDS.

The advocacy team visited the National Human Rights Commission, Abia State office, and the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency to present findings from its community-led monitoring activities and seek government support in addressing gaps in healthcare delivery.

Speaking during the visit, the Team Leader of the Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights, Mr. Jude Obiano, said the exercise was aimed at presenting the organisation's findings and encouraging relevant government agencies to address shortcomings in HIV, malaria and tuberculosis services while ensuring that the rights of affected persons are protected.

According to Obiano, the data was gathered from beneficiaries of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria services provided at healthcare facilities funded by the Global Fund through the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria and implemented by the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. He explained that the findings were intended to reflect community experiences that would contribute to strengthening the public health system.

He disclosed that between January and June this year, the organisation conducted 1,800 client exit interviews across 10 approved Primary Health Care Centres located in Bende, Isiala Ngwa South, Isuikwuato and Umuahia North Local Government Areas.

Obiano appealed to the government and relevant stakeholders to support quality healthcare reforms, noting that while community awareness of healthcare services stands at 81.7 per cent, challenges such as deteriorating infrastructure and fragmented diagnostic pathways continue to undermine patient safety.

Responding, the Abia State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Mrs. Uche Nwokocha, who was represented by the Commission's Assistant Director of Investigation, Mrs. Ukachi Uka, described the advocacy visit as an important step towards strengthening collaboration between the Commission, the Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights, the TB Network and NEPWHAN.

She noted that the Commission is committed to protecting the rights of children, women, men and other vulnerable groups, and assured the team of its readiness to partner with stakeholders in tackling human rights violations affecting people living with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

During a separate visit to the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Kalu U. Kasu, said the agency was intensifying efforts to strengthen HIV and tuberculosis response across all primary healthcare facilities in the state.

Dr. Kasu commended the organisations for implementing the community-led monitoring initiative, describing HIV and tuberculosis as highly specialised areas that require sustained intervention.

He explained that Primary Healthcare Supervisors across the local government areas are focused on educating rural communities about the causes and symptoms of the diseases, adding that the state's 750 primary healthcare facilities are dedicated to community-based treatment aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.

The Executive Secretary also announced that the Primary Healthcare Centre at Ukwu Nwangwu in Isuikwuato Local Government Area has been included in the next phase of government healthcare facility renovations.

He further disclosed that the agency continues to provide incentive packages for pregnant women and commended Governor Dr. Alex Otti for prioritising the health sector, particularly through the renovation of 277 healthcare facilities across the state to improve healthcare delivery.