The Lawyers Alert and the Media Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria, have called for private sector involvement in the funding of health sector projects in Akwa Ibom.
The two groups said at a virtual press conference on Saturday – yesterday, March 1 – that private sector collaboration is critical to tackling health challenges such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, the President, Lawyers Alert, Dr Rommy Mom, said the exit of foreign funding partners requires the government at all levels to seek collaborations with the private sector.
“With the exit of international aid in the health sector, there is a need for governments to collaborate with the private sector to close the funding gaps,” Mom said, adding that such a move would enable the poor and vulnerable in the society to have access to essential medications and diagnosis especially for tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria.
He said that an analysis conducted under the Gender Equality Fund project, revealed pressing gender-related barriers hindering women’s access to healthcare services for tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria in Akwa Ibom State.
“Women face significant barriers, including economic dependency, stigma, and caregiving responsibilities which limit their ability to access timely healthcare.
“The stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis discourages women from seeking care. Also, cultural and religious beliefs often lead to reliance on traditional remedies over modern healthcare,” he said.
Mom said that the report underscored the systemic inequalities, cultural norms, economic constraints, and policy gaps that had continued to obstruct women’s right to equitable healthcare.
“There should be provisions for economic support and empowerment programmes for women to reduce financial dependency and improve access to healthcare,” he said, pointing out that there is a need to enhance the visibility and enforcement of existing health policies, particularly those addressing gender disparities and stigma challenges.(NAN)
