GOVERNOR Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State has pledged continued war against HIV/AIDS in the state.
Yakowa, in a state broadcast at the weekend to mark World AIDS Day, expressed "commitment to effectively respond to the HIV and AIDS pandemic because of the five per cent prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS in the state."
The governor, who lamented the social and health impact of HIV and AIDS on those living with the disease, said, "to say the least, the consequence has been gravely negative," pointing out, "this has resulted in stigmatization and discrimination against Persons Living With HIV and AIDS, denial syndrome among the populace, low self esteem, refusal to access HIV and AIDS Counseling and Testing services (HCT), and refusal to access treatment."
He said: "The goal of the Government of Kaduna State is to reduce HIV and AIDS incidence and prevalence by at least 50 per cent, and provide equitable prevention, care, treatment and support while mitigating its impact among women, children and other vulnerable groups and the general population in Kaduna State by 2015."
According to Yakowa, "the vision is a Kaduna State free of new infections, where all people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS have universal access to treatment, care and support, with stigma and discrimination eliminated and the impact of the virus mitigated."
Meanwhile, the Jigawa State coordinator of People Living With HIV/AIDs, Ahmed Ciroma, has appealed to wealthy Nigerians living with the virus who are benefiting from Anti Retro Viral drugs to register with the association, so that together they could fight the scourge through awareness campaigns.
The coordinator, who spoke during a road walk organised by the Jigawa State Action Against Aids to mark World Aids Day, said many wealthy Nigerians who have tested positive come clandestinely for the drugs and refuse to identify with the association because of stigma.
"We are appealing to those who are benefiting from ARV drugs and are positive. They should come to our aid. Let them register and become members, so that we can discus issues that are of common interest. If we are united, we will have a better platform to encourage donor agencies and government to do more for us," he said.
in another development, the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientist of Nigeria has called on the federal government to implement the 2007 national medical laboratory services policy, saying the move will overhaul the country's health system.
The president of the association, Dr. Godswill Okara, who spoke at the 183rd national executive council meeting of the association in Dutse, Jigawa state, recently, noted that former Minister of Health, Professor Eyitayo Lambo, had painstakingly put in place the policy.
He, however, lamented that the government of the day set aside the policy and is advocating for outsourcing and privatisation of laboratories and other core services in the health sector.
Okara said: "We do not believe that the solution lies in bringing diaspora professionals. We do not believe that is the solution. We believe that we have the technical expertise, the professional knowledge and competence to turn around the Nigerian health sector.
"But all we are asking for is that government and the powers that be respect government policy and statutory regulations and laws, so that Nigeria would be a country where there is respect for rule of law and due process."
