NEPWHAN decries shortage of testing kits for malaria, HIV in 5 Sokoto LGAs

The Network of People Living With HIV in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) has decried the shortage of HIV test kits in some health facilities across five LGAs of Sokoto State: Bodinga, Shagari, Sokoto North, Dange Shuni and Gwadabawa.

The state’s Programme Officer of NEPWHAN, Yahya Sanusi, disclosed this during a media engagement on the COVID-19 Response Mechanism and Community System Strengthening (C19RM and CSS) on Tuesday

Sanusi described the development as dangerous in view of the importance of knowing the HIV status of pregnant women in order to avert mother-to-child transmission of the disease.

He said some of the facilities also experienced frequent out-of-stock malaria testing kits and drugs, adding that there were poor documentation by health workers in the five LGAs.

He appealed to the authorities concerned to ensure health facilities in the state were adequately kitted with testing facilities and drugs.

While commending the state government for the recent recruitment of health workers, he emphasised on frequent refresher training for all health workers.