The Association of Community-Based Organisations for Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition has raised alarm over the growing strain on primary healthcare facilities across Gombe, citing staff shortages, commodity stock-outs, and dilapidated infrastructure as major threats to the delivery of essential HIV, TB, and malaria services.
Speaking during a media briefing on the Global Fund-supported Community-Led Monitoring project in Gombe State, ACOMIN Chairperson, Hassana Maisanda, described the situation as “a crisis that directly affects the lives, safety, and dignity of ordinary Nigerians.”
“Our primary health centres are struggling. We have facilities operating with just one or two staff covering round-the-clock shifts, drug shelves running empty, and buildings that are no longer safe for patients or health workers. Communities are losing confidence because services they depend on are no longer consistent,” Maisanda said.
She stressed that the shortages are already forcing patients to travel long distances for care or abandon treatment entirely, with devastating consequences for public health.
Programme Officer, Samuel Chuwang, elaborated on the “triple challenge” affecting facilities monitored under the Global Fund’s GC7 malaria grant.
He said many centres remain understaffed, with overworked personnel struggling to maintain quality service delivery. “Fatigue and burnout are common, and in some cases, facilities have no security, leaving them vulnerable to theft and vandalism,” Chuwang noted.
On commodity stock-outs, he explained that several facilities recently reported shortages of HIV test kits, antimalarial drugs, and rapid diagnostic tools.
“These gaps disrupt services, delay treatment, and put patients at unnecessary risk,” he said. “When patients cannot access the commodities they need, they simply stop coming.”
Chuwang also highlighted the deteriorating infrastructure in many communities. “We have buildings with cracked walls, leaking roofs, poor ventilation, and no functional toilets or power supply,” he said. “These conditions are unacceptable and undermine infection prevention and the dignity of care.”
Despite the challenges, Maisanda said the CLM project in Gombe State has made significant progress this year.
“Community members are now taking ownership of their health facilities,” she explained. “We have seen increased patronage, volunteers supporting understaffed centres, and several renovations—including borehole repairs and restoration of solar power systems.”
Chuwang added that ACOMIN teams have also helped resolve disputes between facility staff and community members and intensified sensitisation on the availability of HIV, TB, and malaria services.
“These achievements show what is possible when communities are empowered to monitor and demand better services,” he said.
ACOMIN urged government agencies, private partners, media organisations, and traditional leaders to work collectively to address the gaps.
Maisanda called on federal, state, and local governments to “prioritise recruitment, ensure consistent commodity supply, and invest in renovating dilapidated facilities.”
She appealed to the private sector to help bridge funding gaps. “Businesses and philanthropists can support staff welfare, donate essential commodities, and fund infrastructure upgrades,” she said.
Chuwang emphasised the role of the media. “We need journalists to amplify the voices of communities, expose gaps in service delivery, and keep the pressure on policymakers,” he stated.
ACOMIN also encouraged traditional and religious leaders to use their influence to strengthen accountability. “Their involvement is key to ensuring that complaints from communities are addressed promptly and transparently,” Maisanda added.
Maisanda reaffirmed ACOMIN’s commitment to strengthening community health systems, saying, “ACOMIN will continue to empower communities and advocate for accountability until every Nigerian has access to quality, reliable care.”
Chuwang echoed the pledge, “We cannot afford to ignore these challenges. By working together, we can transform our health facilities into dependable centres of care.”
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