Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
A coalition of Civil Society Networks on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM Network) has expressed concerns over the rising cost of drugs for treatment of malaria and other sundry ailments in Anambra State.
The State Advocacy Team (SAT) of the group raised the alarm during their recent advocacy visit to the Programme Manager of the National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP), Mr Nonso Ndibe.
The State Programme Officer (SPO), Onyekachi Ololo, who expressed the concerns during his presentation, noted that while HIV/AIDs, Tuberculosis drugs are available for free at the primary healthcare facilities in the state, malaria drugs are increasingly expensive.
“The surge in cost is rendering malaria treatment inaccessible to many vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC),” he said.
He added that even patients living with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria face compounded challenges due to their economic vulnerability.
The group also highlighted that transportation cost to healthcare facilities is badly affecting access to healthcare facilities, particularly in rural communities where patients living far from health facilities often forgo treatment due to the prohibitive cost of transportation.
They urged governments at the national and subnational levels to review and adapt their economic development plans to address the challenges, adding that improving drug affordability are critical steps to addressing economic barriers affecting healthcare delivery.
They also highlighted the potential benefits of public-private partnerships in reducing transportation costs and strengthening drug supply chains in the state.
Responding, Mr Ndibe agreed that subsidising malaria drugs would have a profound impact on vulnerable populations. According to him, “enhancing affordability and accessibility will in turn lead to improved health outcomes.”
Ndibe also revealed that the State Government is in the process of enacting legislation to streamline drug supply chains, reducing transportation costs and making essential medications more readily available.
He appreciated the Community-Based Interventions and efforts of the Community Led Monitoring model of the ATM Network and called that it may be extended to other unreached LGAs for optimal outcome across the state.
He also encouraged communities to support community-based drug distribution points to minimise transportation burdens on patients.
