HIV/AIDS Death Cases Drop In C-River – SACA Boss, Etcheri

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  • Commends media partnership

BY UBON EKANEM – Cases of death from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) may soon be a thing of the past in Cross River State if the current robust media partnership and advocacy campaigns are sustained.

Consequently, the Cross River State Action Committee on Aids (CRSACA) has pleaded with media partners and health workers to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the remarkable gains achieved over the years are sustained across the state.

The Director-General of CRSACA, Dr Etcheri-Ella Ansa, who made the passionate appeal in Calabar, the state capital, said the successes so far recorded in terms of reduction in the percentage of deaths due to AIDS-related issues are quite encouraging and heartwarming.

Dr Etcheri-Ella told participants at the five-day domestication of the National HIVST and PrEP Communication Strategy training, that media institutions have a critical role to play in shaping public understanding of HIV-related issues and how innovations concerning HIV should be presented in the public space to avoid controversies based on inaccurate information and interpretations.

She said since the media play an important role in shaping the policy formulation process and public health endeavours, efforts should be geared toward ensuring that diligent care is taken to avoid misconceptions.

Dr Etcheri-Ella however expressed delight that current data generated at various health institutions across the state shows that HIV patients, who hitherto had a high level of the viral load, have within the space of three months of adherence to drug prescription and administration recorded a resounding low level of viral load.

She explained that with such concerted efforts sustained by all collaborators, deaths from mainly AIDS-related issues would be effectively controlled if not completely eliminated in the South-South state.

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