A coalition of civil society organizations has urged the Akwa Ibom State Government to take full responsibility for funding healthcare programs as international donors continue to withdraw support, stating that the fight for HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria may collapse without support from the State Government. This call was made during a press conference where Lawyers Alert and Media Health Organisation (MHR) presented findings from a situational analysis conducted under the Gender Equality Fund project.
The report highlights the urgent need for government intervention in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, particularly for women who face multiple barriers to accessing healthcare. According to the findings, Akwa Ibom has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Nigeria at 5.5 percent and contributes 12 percent of the country’s tuberculosis cases. Malaria remains a leading cause of death, especially for pregnant women and children under five.
The press conference drew attention to the severe impact of gender inequality, economic hardship, and poor healthcare infrastructure on disease control efforts. It was emphasized that without urgent action, the state could experience an increase in preventable deaths, drug-resistant infections, and the collapse of community-based health programs.
Health Challenges Identified
Several factors were identified as major obstacles preventing effective healthcare delivery in Akwa Ibom.
Many women in the state struggle to afford medical treatment due to financial dependence on their spouses or families. Even when treatment is available, cultural expectations often pressure women to prioritize their children’s health over their own. Stigma surrounding HIV and tuberculosis also discourages many from seeking medical help, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Frequent stockouts of tuberculosis and malaria medications in public hospitals have left many patients stranded, making it difficult to manage the diseases effectively. Poor healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas, forces patients to travel long distances to access medical care, a challenge that often leads them to abandon treatment altogether.
Another major issue raised during the press conference was the absence of gender-sensitive policies in healthcare planning. Many interventions do not take into account the specific struggles faced by women, resulting in fragmented programs that fail to make a lasting impact.
The Need for Government Intervention
For years, international donors have provided critical funding for Nigeria’s health sector, but that support is now being withdrawn. The situation has worsened following Donald Trump’s recent executive order freezing aid to several countries, a decision that has significantly reduced the flow of foreign health funding.
With donor funds decreasing, the Akwa Ibom State Government must act swiftly to fill the gap. If it fails to do so, the consequences could be devastating. There could be a sharp rise in preventable deaths, an increase in drug-resistant tuberculosis and malaria cases, higher rates of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and a breakdown in community-based health programs.
Recommendations for Action
To prevent a public health crisis, Lawyers Alert and MHR outlined key recommendations for the state government.
The government should establish a dedicated health fund to support local NGOs and community-based organizations working on tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria response. Healthcare services should be integrated to ensure efficient resource use and better coordination of treatment. Economic empowerment programs for women should be introduced to reduce financial dependency and enable them to access medical care.
Community-led advocacy should be strengthened by supporting women-led organizations that can educate and assist vulnerable populations. The government must also ensure a steady supply of essential drugs and diagnostic tools by partnering with private pharmaceutical companies. Expanding healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas, is critical to reaching underserved communities.
Other recommendations include the introduction of gender-sensitive health policies to address the unique barriers faced by women and the launch of public health awareness campaigns to combat stigma and misinformation.
A Call for Urgent Action
It was also stressed that healthcare funding is not just a social responsibility but also an economic necessity. A population struggling with disease cannot contribute meaningfully to economic growth. If the government fails to invest in healthcare now, it will face higher costs in the future due to increased disease burden and reduced workforce productivity.
The time for waiting is over. The Akwa Ibom State Government must take immediate steps to support local healthcare initiatives. Without action, the progress made in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria could be undone, leaving thousands of lives at risk.
Lawyers Alert and MHR reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that no woman or vulnerable person in Akwa Ibom is left behind. They urged the government, private sector stakeholders, and civil society organizations to work together to build a sustainable healthcare system that is no longer reliant on foreign aid.