2021 World AIDS Day: We’ll End Inequalities, HIV/AIDS, Coronavirus – C-River Govt Assures

BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The Cross River State government has assured that there will be no relenting in its efforts at ending the existing imbalances in accessing antiretrovirals and other healthcare services in the State for the overall good of its people.

Similarly, the Governor Ben Ayade-led administration says it remains unwavering in the commitment to tackle and eradicate HIV/AIDS as well as the deadly Coronavirus pandemic currently ravaging and dislocating lifestyles across the globe.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu, who spoke for the government, said there will be no slackening in taking decisions and addressing critical health issues for the general wellbeing of the citizens.

Speaking on the theme of 2021 World AIDS Day: “End Inequalities, End AIDS through Sustainable Financing,” Dr Edu said; “You will recall that, not so long ago, Cross River used to be the second-highest in terms of HIV/AIDS prevalence in the country. But through the concerted efforts of the Ayade-led administration, in collaboration with productive Implementing Partners, the State has turned the trajectory significantly downwards from 6.6% to 2%, with the latest national data showing even further improvement of 1.8%.”

According to her; by deploying more strategies and shifting focus from facility-based intervention to special groups, key populations, and community-based interventions among others, the government and implementing partners would progressively be in a position to effectively and drastically eradicate HIV/AIDS from Cross River State.

The Commissioner, who said “together we can make this happen”, was full of praise and gratitude for the crucial role being played by all stakeholders, especially the Implementing Partners, in achieving the notable feat of downward course in HIV/AIDS prevalence in the State.

The Health Commissioner also appreciated the University of Calabar, under the leadership of Professor Florence Obi, for being a strategic partner and providing the platform to reach out to over 40,000 students with HIV/AIDS-related information, as well as the media for remaining committed to disseminating messages and promoting knowledge about HIV/AIDS in the State.

In her remarks at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi, said the University community has strengthened efforts at placing people and community first through awareness creation on HIV/AIDS prevention, condemning discrimination, and bridging the gap between people who have access to HIV services and those cut-off from such services.

She disclosed that both staff and students of the University will henceforth be actively involved in HIV\AIDS activities through positive activities such as the orientation of new students to increase awareness of HIV, even as she pledged that the University Community will scale up testing, counselling, and awareness campaign as part of measures to effectively tackle the scourge in the institution.

Also speaking at the event, the Director-General, Cross River State Agency for the Control of AIDS (CR-SACA), Dr Etcheri-Ella Ansa, lauded the State Government for its conscious efforts at stemming the tides of HIV/AIDS in the State despite the challenging realities.

She pledged her Agency’s determination to stay focused and steadfast in coordinating HIV/AIDS activities in line with the government’s pursuit of zero prevalence of HIV in the State, adding that CR-SACA remains grateful to Implementing Partners and other stakeholders for being an active part of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Cross River State.

An avalanche of goodwill messages from Implementing Partners further added colour to the occasion with the list comprising; Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research Nigeria (CCCRN); United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); Fhi360; Medical Women Association (MWA); and other stakeholders. They all made commendatory remarks about the present administration’s efforts in HIV/AIDS response as well as creating the enabling environment for stakeholders to perform and succeed in their focused responsibilities.

Highlights of the day included Health Walk from the University of Calabar gate to the Institution’s Conference Centre; Commissioning of a youth-friendly centre; and presentation of prizes to winners of HIV/AIDS awareness competition organized by Talent Afrique.

World AIDS Day holds globally every December 1 and presents an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV; Show support for People Living With HIV (PLWHA); while also remembering all those that died from AIDS-related illnesses.