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From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Delta State has attained near epidemic control of the virulent pathogen known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and AIDS.
This came to the fore as over 73,000 people living with HIV/AIDS were placed on lifelong and life-saving anti-retroviral therapy (ART) across care and treatment facilities in the state.
At a meeting in Asaba to formally close the five-year PEPFAR-funded CDC Project, 4GATES, Caritas Nigeria said 98.4 per cent of the 73,000 were 100 per cent retained in care.
Caritas Nigeria is the lead partner in the implementation of the 4GATES Project, according to the associate director, care and treatment, Lanre Olayiwola, who gave an overview of the project.
Olayiwola said, of those retained in care and on the “wonder drug, DTG, that has been a game changer for Nigeria’s HIV programme, 96 per cent have achieved viral suppression.
“These wonderfully adherent patients who are living longer with better outcomes are also contributing to the end of HIV as a disease of public health importance because, as science has proven time and again, Undetected equals U transmittable (U=U).”
Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Mordi Ononye, lauded Caritas Nigeria for its efforts in implementing the project, saying they accessed difficult terrain to break new grounds in HIV/AIDS control.
Ononye said the total number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Delta State rose from 14,754 in 2017 to over 73,000 at September 2022.
“The past five years have shown the results of tremendous efforts and outstanding partnership on their part.
“They are the only partner that has gone into the creeks and hinterlands for HIV programme.
“They have worked closely with state agencies and parastatals to ensure the wellbeing and health of Deltans thereby supporting the vision of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
“They have contributed to the local economy by employing and empowering citizens living within the borders of the state,” Ononye said.
Permanent secretary of Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency (DSPHCDA), Dr. Jude Winful-Orieke, listed other areas where Caritas also intervened in the past five years.
According to him, Caritas team contributed significantly in the Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC); facilitated access to birth certificates for over 16,000 children through active collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC); among other intervention in the education and socio-economic sectors.
As Caritas Nigeria officially leaves the stage in Delta State, another implementing partner, Excellence Community Welfare Scheme (ECEWS) is expected to drive the state HIV/AIDs control programme.
