Towards strengthening the healthcare service development at the grassroot level, the Network of People With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Edo State chapter, has highlighted some achievements by the respective community based organizations (CBOs) in host communities in the five local government areas of its operational services.
Speaking at a media roundtable with stakeholders, the Edo State co-ordinator NEPWHAN, Mr. Friday Osayande, commended all members of the CBOs in the five local government areas of its operations for their services, adding that their contributions in strengthening healthcare services at the grassroot level was gradually yielding the desired results.
He said while an appreciable level of achievements has been recorded, there are still many challenges to be addressed.
Mr. Osayande said that the project which was developed and funded by Global Fund through National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) was specifically designed to strengthen and improve healthcare services to people at the grassroot level.
“Access to healthcare services at the grassroots would only be made possible when people at the rural areas take ownership of the Primary Health Centres through genuine community-based efforts to maintain and sustain the facilities and services at this level of development,” he said.
He said five local government areas in Edo State which include Uhunmwode , Ovia North-East , Etsako -West , Esan North-East and Orhionmwon local government council areas through partnership with the Primary Healthcare Development Agency and NEPWHAN and other Sub-recipients and Community based organizations (CBO) are ensuring that local residents in these communities take full responsibility for the protection of the Primary Health Centres against vandalism and maintenance in a manner that would ensure the provisions of sustainable healthcare services for all.
The state co-ordinator urged the various CBOs in the 5 local government areas of the state to always engage traditional rulers, community leaders, traders, market women, students and professionals through effective advocacy on the need to work in partnership in promoting an effective healthcare system at the grassroots for all .
He hinged the success and achievement of the project on the prominent roles by some critical stakeholders including politicians, diasporan support, traditional leaders, religious leaders and local vigilantes in ensuring that the operational needs and other essential facilities in some of these Primary Health Centres are provided and protected with a view to making them accessible for long-term use .
“In one of the communities in Etsako West local government area, the Primary Health Centre in Ikabigbo was completely renovated and given a face-lift with water supply, electricity, adequate supply of beds and mattresses with a functional pharmacy department to address issues of access to drugs.
Also in Iguadolor community in Ovia Northeast local government area, the primary health centre which had its old roof replaced through community-based efforts was also provided with a new fridge to protect some essential drugs and vaccines under room temperature, while 2 adult beds and 2 children beds were provided.
In the same vein, the perimeter fence of a primary health centre in Ovia Northeast local government area is presently under reconstruction while the overgrown bushes surrounding a Primary health centre in Orhionmwon local government were cleared through collaborative efforts with elders and members of the community .
On his part, Mr.Yunus Hassan, the state coordinator of NEPWHAN in his remarks disclosed that the essence of the media-roundtable was to enumerate achievements and challenges of the respective CBOs in the 5 local government area of the state on a quarterly basis during the implementation of the grant project by NACA in the state.
Mr.Yunus enumerated the list of CBOs presently working under the NACA grant project in the state to include Willin Johnson foundation (WJF) Etsako LGA, Ikabigbo community and Center for research and community development (CRCD) Orhionmwon LGA, Abudu community and Ideal development and research center (IDRC) Uhunmwonde LGA, Ugieghudu community, Connected Advocacy for empowerment and youth development initiative, Ovia North East LGA, Iguoshodi community, Community based initiative for a brighter tomorrow (CIBT) Oghede.
The others are Lift above poverty organization (LAPO) Amediokhan community. Josemaria Escreva foundation (JOSEF) Esan North East, Usenema Community and Association of person for protection of victims and human trafficking, Orhionmwon LGA, Ugbko-Niru community.
