The Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights, in collaboration with the TB Network and the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), has embarked on a two-day advocacy visit to key government institutions in Abia State to promote inclusive healthcare and protect the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

The advocacy team visited the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Abia State office, and the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and improve healthcare delivery.

Speaking during the visit, the Team Leader of the Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights, Jude Obiano, said the engagement was aimed at presenting findings from community monitoring activities and seeking the support of relevant government agencies to address gaps in HIV, tuberculosis and malaria services while protecting the rights of affected persons.

According to Obiano, the findings were gathered through community-led monitoring of healthcare facilities supported by the Global Fund through the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria and implemented by the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

He explained that the exercise was designed to document the experiences of patients receiving HIV, tuberculosis and malaria services in order to generate evidence that would improve Nigeria's public healthcare system.

Obiano disclosed that between January and June this year, the team conducted 1,800 client exit interviews across 10 selected Primary Healthcare Centres located in Bende, Isiala Ngwa South, Isuikwuato and Umuahia North Local Government Areas.

He appealed to the government and relevant stakeholders to support efforts aimed at improving healthcare services, noting that while community awareness of healthcare services stood at 81.7 per cent, poor infrastructure and fragmented diagnostic processes continue to affect patient safety and service delivery.

Responding on behalf of the National Human Rights Commission, the Abia State Coordinator, Uche Nwokocha, who was represented by the Commission's Assistant Director of Investigation, Ukachi Uka, described the advocacy visit as an important step toward strengthening collaboration between the commission and the participating organisations.

She said the commission remains committed to protecting the rights of women, children, men and other vulnerable groups, assuring the delegation of its readiness to work with stakeholders to address cases of human rights violations affecting people living with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Receiving the advocacy team at the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Kalu U. Kasu, said the agency is intensifying efforts to strengthen HIV and tuberculosis response across Primary Healthcare Centres in the state.

He commended the organisations for carrying out the community-led monitoring initiative, describing HIV and tuberculosis as specialised areas that require sustained intervention and collaboration.

Kasu explained that Primary Healthcare Supervisors in the local government areas are focused on educating rural communities about the causes, symptoms and prevention of HIV and tuberculosis.

He added that the state's network of about 750 healthcare facilities has been structured to provide community-based treatment aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.

The Executive Secretary also announced that the Primary Healthcare Centre at Ukwu Nwangwu in Isuikwuato Local Government Area has been included in the next phase of government healthcare facility rehabilitation.

He further disclosed that the agency has continued to provide incentive packages for pregnant women and commended Governor Alex Otti for investing significantly in the health sector, including the renovation of 277 healthcare facilities across the state to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.