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Ebonyi First Lady, Mrs Mary-Maudaline Nwifuru has called on community leaders to join hands with the state government to promote policies geared towards the health of HIV/AIDS victims.
Mrs Nwifuru, who reaffirmed her commitment to the well-being of people living with the disease reiterated that her foundation, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced (BERWO), will join forces to achieve an HIV /AIDS-free generation by 2030.
The First Lady disclosed this at the weekend during this year’s celebration to commemorate World AIDS Day with the theme; “Communities Leadership to End AIDS by 2030′.
According to Mrs Nwifuru, community leaders are at the fore of the response to HIV/AIDS, and their involvement remains key in achieving sustainable progress.
“I want to plead with our community leaders in Ebonyi State to join hands with the State Ministry of Health and BERWO foundation in raising robust awareness, promoting preventive measures, providing support and care for those living with HIV/AIDS, and combating stigma and discrimination in other to archive the UNAIDs 95-95-95 goal by the year 2030,” she said.
On his part, the Commissioner for Health, Mr Moses Ekuma, encouraged the general public to abstain from lifestyles that would help prevent the spread of AIDS.
Ekuma advised victims of the disease to adhere strictly to their medication and go about their normal lives.
“Let all hands be on deck, as we gather, stakeholders and community leaders to fight HIV to ensure that the target of ending by 2030 is achieved.
“We should start by knowing our HIV status,” Ekuma advised.
Also collaborating, Mr Chibueze Iteshi, Programme Manager, Ebonyi State Agency for the Control of AIDS (EBOSACA) maintained that the agency has rolled out a plan through other partners to conduct testing exercises for people.
Iteshi, said over 14,000 victims in the state are taking their Antiretrovirals HIV and AIDS Drugs.
He advised that while the drugs are taken, the tendency to transmit the virus to another is low.
In separate speeches, representatives of the World Health Organisation, and USAID-Integrated Health Programme, called to support the community in leading the response in HIV.
Meanwhile, Mrs Chinyere Okorie, Coordinator, Association of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS, commended the government and partners for the unique event and called for more support in provision of the retroviral drugs.
