LA, MHR call for improvement in women’s access to TB, HIV, Malaria services in Benue

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Non Governmental Organizations, Lawyer Alert, Media and Health Rights (MHR) Initiative, have expressed concerns over numerous gender-related barriers hindering women’s access to Tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Malaria services in Benue State.

They advocated the mainstreaming of men as allies in healthcare decision-making to dismantle patriarchal barriers, promote gender equality within households to improve women’s access to health services.

This was contained in a statement issued by Lawyer Alert and MHR during a virtual press conference hosted by the President of Lawyer Alert, Rommy Mom.

Mom said there was urgent need for the state government and its partners to address the gender disparities in TB, HIV and Malaria response for women in the state.

The call followed a comprehensive situational analysis conducted under the Gender Equality Fund (GEF) project, which unveiled systemic inequalities, cultural norms, economic constraints, and policy gaps that continue to obstruct women’s right to equitable healthcare.

The organizations noted that while Benue State has consistently recorded one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Nigeria, with co-infection of TB further complicating the situation, malaria has remained a leading cause of illness and death, particularly among pregnant women and children under five.

It was also discovered that despite ongoing interventions, barriers such as stigma, gender inequality, and limited healthcare infrastructure continue to hinder progress, hence the need to strengthen healthcare systems and enhance community engagement to tackle stigma and discrimination.

The report said, “Women in Benue State face significant challenges in accessing healthcare due to patriarchal norms, economic dependency, and cultural beliefs, spousal consent requirements, stigma, and gender-based violence (GBV) further exacerbate these challenges.

It also lamented that stigma and discrimination associated with TB and HIV discourage women from seeking timely diagnosis and treatment, while fear of social ostracism and blame for infecting spouses often leads to delayed care.

It also noted cases of inadequate healthcare infrastructure, frequent stockouts of essential medications, and limited access to diagnostic tools hindering effective service delivery, particularly in rural areas.

“Traditional beliefs, such as attributing diseases to witchcraft and reliance on native treatments, also delay access to modern healthcare services.”

They called on the Benue State Government, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and international partners to prioritize gender-transformative approaches in healthcare delivery by implementing policies that address the unique healthcare needs of women, including integrating reproductive health services with TB, HIV, and Malaria interventions.

They also said it was important that men be engaged as allies in healthcare decision-making to dismantle patriarchal barriers and promote gender equality within households as well as increase funding for healthcare facilities, ensure consistent availability of medications, and expand access to diagnostic tools, particularly in rural areas.

Lawyers Alert and it’s partners is implementing a a project named “Law, Rights, and Community Empowerment for Social Change in TB, HIV, and Malaria Response,”, supported by the GEF Fund, in Benue and Akwa-Ibom states. It aims to address gender-related barriers to healthcare access in Nigeria, particularly for women and vulnerable groups affected by HIV, TB, and Malaria.