… Virus not a death sentence, Imo D.Gov
… 15,000 persons living with HIV in Imo, Health CommissionerÂ
By Iheanyi Enwerem
The Imo state Deputy Governor, Dr Chinyere Ekomaru, has assured people living with HIV/AIDS that they can live with the condition and still achieve their full potentials in life, stressing that the health condition is not a death sentence as erroneously believed in certain quarters.
She disclosed this on Tuesday, during the commemoration of World AIDS Day, as the Ministry of Health and other partner agencies (World Health Organization, Catholic Caritas Federation of Nigeria and State Action Committee on AIDS), led by the Imo State Honourable Commissioner for Health – Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare Management, Prof. Chukwuemeka Michael Ubaka, paid her a courtesy visit in her office.
The Deputy Governor noted that the working relationship between the partner agencies and the Imo Ministry of Health is a huge advantage for Imolites, as she assured the group of continued government cooperation and support.
Speaking on the theme for this year’s celebration – “Take the rights part: Your health, Your right”, the Deputy Governor called on Imolites to complement the efforts of the Governor in the Health sector by taking our health seriously. She also appealed to Ndi Imo to take full advantage of the free health insurance scheme in the state provided by the Governor, who has prioritized the health of all Imolites.
In the same vein, she called for massive support for people living with HIV/AIDS, appealing that people should freely relate with them without any form of discrimination, as she insisted that the elimination of the condition demands our collaborative efforts.
Speaking earlier the State Health Commissioner, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ubaka said that they came to officially present to the Deputy Governor, those who are involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the state, seizing the opportunity offered by the World AIDS Day, to do so.
Prof. Ubaka disclosed that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is still high in the state, informing that about 51,125 people are presently receiving assistance through Caritas Nigeria.
He also hinted that Imo state Government has provided about 1000 persons with free health insurance while more are already on the line, while urging more people to embrace the scheme.
Prof. Ubaka, in his submission, assured the Deputy Governor that the Ministry of Health, with well trained personnel and all other necessary facilities for fight against HIV/AIDS, like solar powered energy, laptops, testing kits, etc, is ready to take over anything the partners throw on the state government, hence the reason why they anchor most of their programmes on sustainability.
The WHO State Coordinator, Dr. Wadzingi Williams Bassi, in his remark said that WHO is glad to mark the World AIDS Day with other International agencies, as they are poised to support the government at all levels, work across all partners on what the state requires and ensure that all relevant policies work in the state.
Adding his voice, the Senior Technical Special State Team Lead, Catholic Caritas Federation of Nigeria, Ufiem Donatus, informed that since the establishment of the organization in 2010, that Caritas has been implementing HIV programmes, focusing on sustainability of programmes, treatment of orphans and other vulnerable children, preventing HIV through testing and counseling of pregnant women and so on.
High point of the visit was the presentation to Her Excellency, the Deputy Governor, the official uniform marking the day, by the Hon. Commissioner, Prof. Ubaka.