The Network of People Living With HIV in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), has expressed excitement over the N100.6 million allocation for HIV/AIDS kits, consumables by Sokoto state government.
The NEPWHAN Programme Officer, Malam Yahaya Sanusi, made the commendation during a media engagement on Friday in Sokoto.
Sanusi described the efforts as landmark achievement which was part of the advocacy proceeds made by NEPWHAN at government institutions and other stakeholders.
” This will douse the anxiety intensified after the United States Government paused foreign aid funds in January, an action that immediately affected the delivery of life-saving HIV medicines and prevention services in several countries,” he said.
He sought for increased community participation, institutions partnerships and healthcare development programmes ownership by citizens across Sokoto state.
According to him, NEPWHAN through different intervention from the global funds have rehabilitated, constructed healthcare facilities and provided wide range of services that improved healthcare access to all categories of people in the state.
The Programme Officer, who doubled as the COVID-19 Response Mechanism and Community System Strengthening (C19RM and CSS) grant Coordinator stressed the need for community ownership of projects.
He said the C19RM and CSS project executed most desirable projects in Bodinga, Shagari, Sokoto North, Dange Shuni and Gwadabawa local government areas.
Sanusi commending the state government on the recent recruitment of health workers and suggested for frequent refresher training for health workers.
He appealed to the government and other concern authorities to ensure that health facilities in the state were adequately equipped with testing facilities and drugs.
Speaking also, District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi, lauded for HIV/AIDS release of fund by the state government in recognition of stoppage of donors agencies especially from the United States.
Umar-Jabbi said the temporary halt by the donor have heightened uncertainty among people living with HIV and those supporting the national response.
It was reports that stakeholders took turn to expressed their groups contributions and suggestion toward sustaining progress and called for more public enlightenment and media engagement
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