The Director General, Abia State Agency for the Control of AIDS, ABSACA, Dr. Mrs, Uloaku Emmanuel-Ukaegbu, says her Agency through the efforts put in place and the assistance of Governor Alex Otti, is working hard to end HIV/AIDS prevalence by 2030.
Dr. Mrs. Uloaku Emmanuel-Ukaegbu, who addressed with newsmen ahead of this year’s World AIDS Day celebrated 1st of December, said the Agency had begun massive sensitisation of Abians which has taken the shape of talk shows on radio where callers ask pertinent questions on HIV/AIDS, adding that the Agency is involving all stakeholders in the fight against the virus.
The world can end AIDS – if everyone’s rights are protected. With human rights at the centre, with communities in the lead, the world can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
On 1 December WHO joins partners and communities to commemorate World AIDS Day 2024. Under the theme “Take the rights path: My health, my right!”, WHO is calling on global leaders and citizens to champion the right to health by addressing the inequalities that hinder progress in ending AIDS.
She pointed out that since she assumed office as the DG of the Agency last year, the Agency has never shown complacency in spreading the message of HIV/AIDS prevalence to all the nooks and crannies of Abia State.
The ABSACA DG, revealed that in recognition of the sanctity of the Agency in ensuring that HIV/AIDS cases in the State is reduced to the barest minimum, the Agency has also ensured that the 38 centres for the treatment of HIV/AIDS cases are very active to respond to cases.
She said according to a Survey conducted in 2018, Abia has a prevalent rate of 2.1 percent, stressing that what it portends, is that out of every 100 person, two persons will have HIV while also revealing that Ukwa, Ikwuano and Obingwa are the LGAs with highest prevalence.
Dr. Mrs Emmanuel-Ukaegbu, informed that till date, 47,688 persons mostly women are currently undergoing HIV treatment in Abia designated facilities, stressing that her Agency has also worked assiduously in educating the public on the need to reduce mother-to-child transmission.
She pointed out that through various sensitisation efforts, the Agency has been able to ensure that mother-to-child transmission has been reduced to the barest minimum, maintaining that till date, HIV has no cure but advised that abstinence, being faithful to one partner among others, remains the best way of avoiding contraction of the virus.
The DG revealed that activities had already begun in the 17 Local Government Areas of the State as public health Officers carry out lectures in major markets in the hinterlands as well as conducting free HIV test, emphasizing that this move, is meant to avail people of the opportunity of knowing their HIV status.
She said the Agency, has achieved a lot since she mounted the saddle including training different organizations to take the message of HIV/AIDS seriously to achieve behavioral change, adding that school teachers in the three Senatorial District of Abia through the help of the Governor have also been trained which also led to those schools forming HIV/AIDS clubs to broaden the message.
Speaking on the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day, “Take the right path: My health, my right”, Dr. Mrs Emmanuel-Ukaegbu, said different churches in the State capital will be visited and speeches on HIV/AIDS will be delivered just as testing points will also be set up in these churches for people to know their status.
Additionally, she said the grand finale which will be on the 3rd of December will witness a State Rally commencing at the BCA field which will avail stakeholders in HIV response to participate, adding that educational materials will be shared, while testing points will be set up at Isi gate and Orie Ugba beginning from 9am.
The ABSACA DG, also said that her Agency currently, is hosting a football tournament involving students from tertiary institutions in conjunction with the National Association of Nigerian Students NANS, informing that jersies with HIV/AIDS messages inscribed in it among other materials.
