• As govs commemorate World AIDS Day 

From: TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt; PAUL OSUYI, Asaba; Rose Ejembi, Makurdi; Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure

 

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has renewed his call  to the Rivers people to be advocates of HIV prevention in their communities.

Wike reiterated the call yesterday, during the celebration of the 2017 World AIDS Day in Port Harcourt.

Represented by his deputy, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Wike said: “Abstinence is best for young people. Learn to avoid risky sexual behaviour. Know your status today. Do not stigmatize infected persons. Let us all support government’s effort to achieve universal health coverage for our people”.

According to him, it was totally unacceptable that a large percentage of new infections of HIV are due to mother-to-child transmission.

He said: “Here in Rivers State, we have directed that every health centre and health facility must provide Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services. It is a very cost effective technology to ensure that not one child is born HIV positive”. 

The governor revealed that his administration has invested substantially in strengthening the health care systems by renovating, “abandoned secondary health care facilities, upgrading and equipping the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) for better standard of patient care and facilitating access to interest-free loans for private health facilities to raise the quality of care.

Wike said the theme for this year’s celebration, “My Health, My Right”, resonated around the right to “health services, access to social services and the importance of individual knowledge in order to keep healthy”.

He expressed the need for everyone to seriously take the simple tasks of routine exercise, diet and continuous effort of monitoring biologic indicators of good health.

Highlights of the occasion were the presentation of Good Governance Awards to Governor Wike, his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs.) Banigo.

In the same vein, Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has called for increased advocacy on the HIV/AIDS pandemic to eradicate stigmatisation and discrimination in the country.

Governor Okowa who made this call during a Live Radio and Television broadcast to mark the day said that Delta State has about 78,359 persons living with the virus with a prevalence rate of 0,7% stressing that there was the need for an increased advocacy to reduce discrimination and stigmatization among the populace.

Also, Benue State government has declared that the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic should not be left with government alone.

Speaking at the IBB Square, venue of the event in Makurdi, Governor Samuel Ortom urged individuals, families and corporate organisations to join hands and efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Benue State for an aids-free society and generation.

In Ondo State, no fewer than 81,871 people have been infected with the HIV. A report presented by the state’s Agency for the Control of Aids indicated that 5,048 people were newly infected, 8,048 were on treatment while 4,701 women tested positive to the disease.