Not less than 300,000 people are estimated to be living with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in Rivers State, and over 50,000 of these persons have been placed on anti-retroviral care and support free of charge in eight comprehensive treatment sites spread around the state.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker dropped the hint in his address during the commemoration of the 2012 World AIDS Day celebration at Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to him, there are over fifteen sites for prevention of mother to child transmission of the virus in the state with linkages from several feeder health centres, and over sixty thousand persons have been so far tested free of charge for HIV this year alone in more than 300 service delivery points spread across the state.
Dr. Parker further disclosed that the main driver of the epidemic include denial, stigmatization, inappropriate sexual behaviour and ignorance, pointing out that the government, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is fully committed to tackling these challenges through provision of access to therapeutic and preventive services.
The government further acknowledged the assistance of various implementing partners, especially FH-1 360, Hygeiea and the Society for Family Health, for their collaborative support in the on-going control process, disclosing that plans are underway to open more fully equipped comprehensive treatment sites to scale-up accessibility as well as upgrade existing sites to uptake and manage more cases in line with best practices around the world. Stressing that the administration was fully determined to ensure that the quality of life for those living with the virus is maintained at the highest standards. Dr. Parker noted that the administration also plans to acquire more sophisticated machines for early infant definitive diagnosis and procured newer generation anti-retrovirals in the fight against disease despite dwindling external funding.
He urged the people of the area to be a focus for change in their various communities as the government strides towards zero new infections, adding: “know your status today, do not stigmatize infected persons, ensure that pregnant women attend health centres, live positively and visit your doctors regularly for advice, let us support government control programmes and ensure that the state is fully geared towards bringing this epidemic to a halt and that no new cases occur any more.
In a related development, the Executive Director Rivers State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (RIVSACA) Dr. Chimezie Okeh said the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chubuike Amaechi has approved the sum of N120 Million Naira for the control of HIV/AIDS in the state.
Dr. Okeh made the remark recently at the opening ceremony of the 2012 World AIDS Day in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Okeh stated that presently, there are lots of Associations, Clubs, NGDs, CBOs, Communities and corporate bodies implementing HIV/AIDS activities funded by RIVSACA.
The RIVSACA Boss noted the effort of all partners who he said synergize for greater impact in eradicating the HIV/AIDS scourge from communities, while commending the Rivers State Government for the return of peace which has helped in the smooth running of the programme in the state.
He pointed out that the Rivers State HIV/AIDS program is now enjoying support with funding from several donor-agencies, since the world now has the technology and the means to control the problem of HIV/AIDS in our society, while tasking leaders at every position to take the issue of HIV/AIDS seriously because losing the fight will be disastrous.
Dr. Okeh commended the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sampson Parker and the Chairman Gokana Local Government Council, Hon. Ledee Demue Ledee for been dynamic, innovative and committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
In an interview with journalists shortly after the event, Dr. Okeh said so far RIVSACA has received $700,000 from the World Bank, $75,000 from LJNDP and N22,000,000 from the state government.
According to him, RIVSACA has disbursed 11.5 Million Naira to 23 Local Government Areas, 35 Million Naira to 10 line ministries, Health, Education, Local Government Affairs, Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Agriculture, Women Affairs, Information and Communication, Sports, Youths, Culture and Tourism.
He disclosed that the World Bank has set aside the sum of $422,000 for disbursement to Non Governmental Organizations, Community Base Organizations to help in reducing the disease among the local people. The RIVSACA Boss charged local government chairmen in the state to aggressively campaign against the virus which must involve the community leaders in the spirit of self-preservation.
The theme of this years summit is “Community Ownership of HIV/AIDS Response and Sustainability”. Some of the participants, Mr. Nwinnwin Friday of Gokana Local Government Area and Peter Dickson of Okrika Local Government Area in their separate reactions said HIV/AIDS must be control in communities through voluntary test, controlled and managing of the diseases in the localities.
They said how to communicate with the people at the grassroots is key to eradicating the disease, saying that HIV/AIDS is real, however, people can live with it through proper education.###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor &
Pius Dukor
