UYO
The Golden Initiative For All(GIFA) , pet project of the late wife of Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Patience Eno, has reiterated collaboration with Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS(AKSACA) to raising awareness, prevention and support to People Living With HIV(PLWHIV) .
The coordinator of the project, Ann Abraham, gave the assurance at a media briefing to mark the year 2024 World AIDS Day which took place at conference room of the agency, recently.
She noted that the HIV was one of the thematic areas of the pet project with focus on education, access to care and elimination of stigma against the PLWHIV.
Reflecting on the theme of the celebration: Take The Rights Path, Sustain The HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children To End AIDS by 2030, called on the public to use this as a reminder that collective actions against HIV/AIDS can bring an AIDS free world.
Abraham said the initiative was poised to promote the legacy the first lady left behind so that the world know that it still exist.
The state representative, The Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS), Dr Idayat Uthman, said in Akwa Ibom, a total of 178, 377 which include 4, 321 children and 2,190 pregnant women were placed on HIV treatment in 2023.
She appealed to Governor Umo Eno to assent to the Anti- Stigma and Discrimination Act for the protection of the rights of PLWHIV, increase access to HIV care and treatment.
Dr Enwongo Uwah, representative of the lead partner, Excellence Community Education and Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), informed that so far, they had enabled the reduction of new infections and expand access to services.
Uwah, a senior technical advisor, observed that pregnant women and children infections was surging, becoming a source for concern, hence the Prevention of Mother-To Child Transmission (PMTCT), and early infant diagnosis was imperative.
The project manager, AKSCA, Dr Enobong Akpan, paid glowing tribute to the late wife of the governor, Pastor Patience Eno, noting that her legacy would continue to inspire the agency particularly through the Golden Initiative For All(GIFA), saying that the deceased vision to improve lives through GIFA was a perfect harmony with the mandate to mitigate morbidity and mortality related to HIV and other associated illness within communities.
He revealed that nearly 200, 000 individuals were receiving treatment for HIV , a testament to the collective efforts made but that as epidemic control was being approached in the adult general population, there were critical gaps that persist among pediatric and adolescent populations , pregnant women and the key populations.
The project manager who acknowledged that HIV transcend the health sector, and deeply rooted with social, cultural and religious dynamics, the agency in its holistic engagement has initiated awareness programmes targeting traditional and religious leaders across all the senatorial districts to address cultural and religious barriers.
“Furthermore, we have identified stigma and discrimination as formidable obstacles in our pursuit of epidemic control, disproportionately affecting women. Human rights violations, including issues faced by key populations, sexual and gender-based violence, and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, pose significant challenges that we must confront head-on,” Akpan noted.
He hinted that in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA), the agency has successfully advocated for the passage of the Anti-Stigma and Discrimination Law and gave gratitude to the speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, the chairman, House Committee on Health , Mr Moses Essien and all members of the AKHA for their pivotal role, stressing that once enacted , the law would catalyze reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS through enhanced uptake of HIV testing services, encourage disclosure, and fostering acceptance within communities, while also creating job opportunities for People Living With HIV(PLWHIV), improve their mental well-being , impose penalties for those who deliberately spread the virus.
Besides, he hinted that the agency has established the HIV Gender, Human Rights, and Sexual Rights Taskforce to ensure a prompt response to human rights violations and facilitate the enforcement of the Anti-Stigma Bill, and also the establishment of the HIV Domestic Resource Mobilization Committee to harness funding from both public and private sectors for sustainable financing in HIV response.
Akpan further informed that tuberculosis and malaria programming which are critical components of sustainability strategy had been integrated into the HIV services.
He appreciated the governor for his unwavering commitment to advancing the health sector in Akwa Ibom which notable strides include; the establishment of the State Health Insurance Scheme, the development of model Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs), primary schools and the strategic employment of personnel to manage these vital institutions.
The project manager stated as part of the efforts to control the spread of HIV among teenagers, the agency introduced ‘sports for life football competition in the secondary schools with the captains of the teams being leaders of HIV Awareness Club while another collaboration was made with the Ministry of Education for the introduction of sexual education in the school curriculum toward effective sensitization of adolescents and youths.
The initiatives, he added, were instrumental in sustaining HIV response, promoting government ownership of the health agenda and enhancing access to essential HIV testing and treatment services across communities.
He appreciated the lead partner, ECEWS and other implementing partners for their commitment towards the eradication of the virus in the state.
The chairman, HIV/AIDS Domestic Resource Mobilization Committee, Elder Sam Ikon, stressed that with upsurge in infection and dwindling funding from donors amidst economic recession, it was critical to source for funds and implored the public to open their doors for the committee.
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