NGO wants funding for malaria increased in Niger
A non governmental Organisation has called on the Niger State Government to increase funding for malaria interventions if it must attain improved service delivery across all Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs).
State Coordinator, Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Olasunkanmi Kalejaiye, lamented that carrying out malaria interventions amidst the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic presents several challenges.
While addressing Journalists over the weekend, Kalejaiye said that inadequate provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for health workers particularly at PHCs have left them exposed and as such they may not be able to provide optimal service as required.
According to him “we are calling on Governments at all levels to increase funding for malaria interventions; improve and upgrade health facilities across the State. Purchase and distribute adequate Medical equipment to Health Facilities.
“Government should provide sufficient beddings and mattresses. Our challenges are non allocation of resources and specific budgets for malaria interventions. Inadequate human resources; dilapidating and abandonment of health facilities.”
Furthermore, he said low health seeking behavior on the part of the community members is worrisome, as such some people still d not believe the Coronavirus exist and so, they disregard COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
Kalejaiye while calling on the people to abide by the guidelines put in place to further reduce community infection by using face mask and practicing social distancing.
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