Between 2019 and 2021, Kogi State experienced a decline in hospital attendance of more than 45%. This was made worse by incessant health care worker’s strikes, insecurity, and difficult terrains to some communities.
To address this challenge, Center for Integrated Health Programs (CIHP) collaborated with the Kogi State Government, Heads of Health in the Local Government Areas (LGAs), supervising Primary Health Centers and community gate keepers to conduct a local government area data analysis on HIV prevalence and un-met treatment needs.
CIHP Kogi State project lead Pharmacist Bernard Akpa, states that “results from the reversed mapping analysis in the state was used to determine allocation of Community Antiretroviral Treatment (cART) teams per local government area and secondary health facility for linkage of identified HIV positive patients to treatment.”
Within 11 months, a total of 99, 443 persons were tested for HIV and 2,920 HIV positive individuals were identified and linked to health facilities for antiretroviral treatment and care, accounting for 32% of total positive cases identified in the state,”
Pharmacist Akpa
The teams worked in 11 LGAs with assigned daily, weekly and monthly targets. After introduction to LGA supervisors, teams made up of two testers, a Health Care Worker and a Data Clerk, went into communities for community mobilization, HIV Testing Services, Antiretroviral Treatment linkage and retention. Their progress was monitored using a daily tracker.
The team also provided integrated health services including, blood pressure check, malaria tests and treatment as well as referral for other services in health facilities.
