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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Government has moved to safeguard HIV/AIDS services for more than 197,000 people currently receiving care under programmes supported by APIN Public Health Initiatives, as international donor funding begins to decline.
Of the more than 197,000 people receiving various HIV/AIDS care services, over 183,000 are currently on treatment through supported services across 264 health facilities in the state, according to figures presented at the programme review meeting.
As part of the transition arrangement, the government, in conjunction with health stakeholders, has constituted a seven-member Health Programme Sustainability Technical Team to identify funding and service gaps and develop measures to sustain critical HIV/AIDS interventions.
The team, headed by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, is expected to review sustainability gaps, prioritise critical interventions, identify financing opportunities and develop a realistic, costed action plan within seven days for presentation to the State Executive Council.
Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Deborah Aber, announced the constitution of the team during the APIN State Programme and Sustainability Performance Scorecard Review Meeting held in Makurdi at the weekend.
Aber said more than 183,000 people were receiving HIV treatment through supported services across 264 health facilities, in addition to significant investments in laboratory infrastructure, healthcare personnel and improved treatment outcomes.
State Programme Lead of APIN Public Health Initiatives, Mr Enebi Achimogu, put the wider number of people receiving HIV/AIDS care services supported by the organisation at more than 197,000.
He explained that the services include antiretroviral treatment and other essential HIV/AIDS care interventions aimed at improving the health and well-being of people living with HIV.
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Achimogu said APIN, with funding support from the United States Government, had invested significantly in the programme over the years, contributing to improved access to HIV/AIDS treatment and care across the state.
He, however, noted that funding for the programme had reduced, making it necessary for the state government to assume greater responsibility for sustaining the services and protecting the gains already achieved.
Aber stressed the need for Benue State to strengthen domestic financing, integrate successful health interventions into government systems and protect essential healthcare services from disruption arising from changes in funding arrangements.
She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working with APIN and other development partners to sustain progress in the health sector, stressing that no patient should be denied life-saving treatment because of funding challenges.
Achimogu urged the Benue State Government to commence implementation of the State Health Insurance Scheme as part of a long-term sustainability strategy, saying it would improve access to healthcare and reduce the financial burden of treatment on residents.
Ogwuche said interventions by APIN and other development partners had significantly improved the lives of people living with HIV in the state.
He said the state government recognised the importance of sustaining the programme and was developing strategies to retain its workforce and maintain essential services currently being delivered through the intervention.
The commissioner stressed the need for collaboration between the government and development partners to ensure continuity of care and prevent disruptions to treatment as funding arrangements change.
Stakeholders at the meeting assessed the programme’s achievements, identified sustainability challenges and developed strategies to strengthen government ownership and domestic financing of HIV/AIDS services in the state.
