By Uzo Ugwunze
Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike has reiterated commitment of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s led administration to eradicate prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the state.
The Commissioner stated this during a sensitization walk as part of activities marking World AIDS Day celebrated every December 1 and spearheaded by Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) in collaboration with Ministry of Health, other line ministries, development partners and civil society organizations.
He also assured government’s preparedness to end mother to child transmission in the state through efficient and effective awareness creation, provision of HIV free testing centers among others.
He said, “It’s obvious aids is here with us but the good news is that it doesn’t mean automatic death for the patient.
“Throughout this week, we’ll be on HIV sensitization, and more importantly to remind residents that HIV still exists and kills if unidentified.
“But if earlier identified with proper medications which is free, it will boost one’s immune system, reduce chances of death and prolong one’s life.
“We’re also sensitizing people on importance to test themselves so as to ascertain their status at various health centers. As at today, I’m proud to say that we’ve tested over 49000 persons, indicating an increase in our testing.
“We’ve also opened lots of centres for this confident test. We want people to know their status so as to avoid disseminate the infection, especially since it doesn’t show facially.
“Meanwhile, we review morbidity and mortality of persons living with HIV. This year, we’re concentrating on reducing transmission of mother to child HIV.
“The mode of delivery is important because if the status of the pregnant woman is ascertained before delivery, the chances of the child being infected will be reduced.
“We want to break the HIV mother to child transmission. We’re currently at 3percent reduction but we’re hopeful of further reduction by next year.”
Executive Director, ANSACA, JohnBosco Ementa underscored the importance of residents knowing their HIV status as early treatment would ensure reduction in transmission.
He urged residents, especially pregnant women yet to know their status to take advantage of the free HIV/AIDS testing centres which he said were more accessible to them.
“December 1st every year is set aside as World AIDS Day to remember those who died on account of HIV/AIDS and to raise awareness about the disease, modes of transmission of the virus and the preventive measures against the disease.
“Prevention remains the best option, hence the reason all hands must be on deck to ensure that everyone gets tested to reduce the transmission rate.
“We want to end AIDS in Nigeria by 2030. Our target is to ensure Anambra is HIV free and no child born in the state is with HIV,” he added.