Lawyers Alert, MHR Train Stakeholders on Evidence -Based Advocacy for HIV, TB, Malaria Response
By Ekemini Simon
Lawyers Alert in collaboration with the Media Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria, MHR with support from the Gender Equality Fund, GEF have built the capacity of stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State towards addressing gender-related barriers in response to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The Capacity building workshop which held for two days in Uyo on Tuesday through Wednesday had Civil Society Organisations, and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in Akwa Ibom State working on HIV, TB and Malaria, State Actors and the Media trained on how to carry out evidence based advocacy to advance gender transformative and affirmative approach to HIV, TB and Malaria response.
The initiative which is part of the Law, Rights and Community Empowerment for Social Change project is implemented in Akwa Ibom and Benue States.
In his welcome address, the Director of Administration and Finance at Lawyers Alert, Mr. Olayemi Agoro, noted that the workshop aims at developing a joint advocacy plan to strengthen Policy and gender responsive approach to HIV, TB and Malaria care prevention in Nigeria.
He said unpredictable decisions, such as the United States President’s executive order impacting HIV and other donor funding gives credence to the importance of taking the response for HIV, TB and Malaria seriously through inclusive policies.
In her address, the Legal Advisor at Lawyers Alert, Peace Okeshola said it was time for stakeholders to carry out targeted advocacy in addressing gender-based barriers to healthcare access.
Okeshola explained that many women, girls and others who are vulnerable face systemic inequalities that hamper them from receiving timely and effective treatment for HIV, TB, and malaria.
She said when the CSOs, CBOs, media, among other stakeholders take action through strategic engagement with policymakers, there will be policy changes, funding, and public acceptance that will create a more inclusive healthcare system which will respond to HIV, TB and Malaria.
On her part, Programme Manager of Media, Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria, MHR, Ufuoma Eguriase while taking participants through ” Role Play on SMART advocacy” pointed out that advocacy is an effective tool in driving change and charge participants to take it as a core part of all their interventions.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Moses Essien said he understands the critical importance of strengthening response to HIV, TB, and Malaria, especially from a gender-sensitive perspective.
He pointed out these diseases do not only affect a great number of people but also impact women, girls, and marginalized groups as indicated in maternal mortality rates due to challenges in accessing treatment, care, and support.
While expressing the commitment of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in supporting the response through policies, he added “I am confident that the insights and skills gained here will help shape a more responsive, equitable, and sustainable health system, one that ensures the most vulnerable populations are not left behind and gender related barriers are eliminated. This workshop aligns with the vision of the House Committee on Health to raise advocacy in fostering quality healthcare in Akwa Ibom State.”
For the State Malaria Elimination Programme manager, Dr. Boniface Ukpong, represented by Mrs. Enobong Umoren (Gender focal person under Malaria Unit), he noted that the prevalence of malaria in Nigeria is 22 percent while that of Akwa Ibom Stands at 30.1.
He explained that the most vulnerable are children under five (U-5) and pregnant women adding that there are huge gaps in terms of availability and utilization of malaria commodities example Sulfadoxine- pyrimethamine (SP) and Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) to serve these vulnerable populations in Akwa Ibom State.
Ukpong expressed optimism that the capacity building on Evidence -Based Advocacy for an Effective Gender-Based Malaria Response will not only sustain progress rather will address the gaps through advocacy.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager, Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS, AKSACA, Dr Enobong Akpan noted that Akwa Ibom State is working tirelessly to strengthen the local response through Governor Umo Eno’s release of funds for the procurement of HIV Test kits. He said at the Federal level, the Federal Government has given approval for the HIV medications to be produced in the country.
While noting that there is still room for more responses, Akpan charged participants to utilize the insight gained from the workshop to advance policies that ensure long-term funding and gender-responsive interventions.
The State TB, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Programme Manager, Dr. Nsisong Asanga, harped on the need for partnership in the advocacy for policy change towards addressing HIV, TB and Malaria concerns.
She added “You are the voice of the voiceless. Let’s speak with one voice so that our voice will be louder so that we can get a healthier State.”