Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde has disclosed his administration’s plans to provide HIV test kits for 300,000 residents in the State.
The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun made the disclosure at the launch of the HIV Treatment Surge by the Consul-General, United States Embassy in Nigeria, Lagos, Claire Pierangelo, held at the Theophilus Oladipo Ogunlesi Hall, Ibadan.
The Consul-General and her delegation had earlier, on Tuesday, paid a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, where the state’s delegation and the Consul General discussed issues of common interests and collaboration.
In his remark, the Consul General said the launch of the HIV/AIDS Treatment Surge Programme would create more opportunities for many people to be put under treatment.
She added that “over the years, since 2003, the US Government has provided over 6 Billion Dollars to Nigeria in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. We have 1.2m Nigerians currently under treatment for life.
“So, we are happy to come to Oyo State to identify and put under treatment as many people as possible in the state.“Additionally, we are looking forward to other areas of cooperation in the aspect of training and immunisation of children.”
Speaking while receiving the US delegation, the governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Adeosun, expressed the government’s readiness to partner with the US on the HIV programme and other public health interventions.
He added that the HIV Treatment Surge Programme would tie in with the administration’s health programmes, as health remains one of the four service point agenda of the administration.
Speaking at the launch of the HIV Treatment Surge Programme on Wednesday, Governor Makinde equally expressed his pleasure with the initiative, which he said is aimed at increasing HIV case-finding by testing across all 33 LGAs in a strategic way and linking those positive to free treatment.
He declared that the state government will provide HIV test kits for 300,000 residents in the state.
“This initiative, among other things, focuses on bringing forth and placing on the front burner issues that seriously challenge the health care system and is still of public health importance. HIV primarily affects those in their most productive years, especially women of reproductive age, children and adolescents.
“It also harms households, communities, and the economic growth of a country. Access to HIV testing, which is the gateway to prevention, treatment, and care services, is still limited and there is still no cure.
“HIV Treatment Surge Light Launch is expected to increase awareness of communities and health care providers on the need for women of reproductive age group, children, adolescents to get tested for HIV.”
Governor Makinde, who stated that the initiative will assist Oyo State to achieve the 2030 set target for HIV epidemic control, said the policy of the state is to provide accessible, affordable, equitable and qualitative healthcare for all, which is under the universal health care strategy to meet the SDG 3.
He added that the plan to ensure that healthcare services reach the vulnerable, underserved and underprivileged, remains on course.
The governor said: “The health sector response to HIV can contribute to the achievement of ending the AIDS target, universal health coverage, and other key health and development targets as seen in SDG3.
“Therefore, this initiative is coming at the right time.
The Oyo State Government realises the need to empower the people with the necessary information to make an informed decision in seeking health services, hence the need to improve physical access to health facilities by working to ensure one PHC per ward across the state is renovated.
