ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, YENAGOA
There is an imperative need for the three tiers of government to participate more and take ownership of HIV/AIDS response in the country, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS has stated.
The Director-General, NACA, Dr Gambo Aliyu, stated this on Friday at the ongoing four-day HIV Media Advocacy and Social Behaviour Change Communication skills-building workshop in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
The training, which draws participants from medical experts in HIV/AIDS and journalists, focuses on HIV, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and HIV Self-Testing.
Aliyu, who was represented by the Director, Policy Planning and Stakeholders Coordination, Dr Eno Essien, noted that People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHIV) were solely supported by donor agencies.
He said that the increased participation by the government was desirable to ensure that beneficiaries of the services rendered by the implementing partners are sustained when the donor partners pull out.
He urged states in the Southsouth geopolitical zone to take advantage of the support by the implementing partners to treat HIV infected persons for the region to be free of the epidemic.
Aliyu stated that the PLWHIV needs support and care and the federal and state governments should critically look into their plight for sustainability.
He explained that in some states in the region such as Bayelsa were yet to fully implement the law establishing the State Agency for Control of Aids while some require an amendment to allow for the proper functioning of the board.
He noted that SACA ought to report to the Governor through the Deputy Governor and not to the Ministry of Health.
He called on the Bayelsa State government to comply with existing legislation by confirming the appointment of Director General for SACA in Bayelsa as well as release appropriated funds for HIV/AIDS activities including the provision of rapid testing kits.