Institute Introduces Facility For HIV, TB Treatment

The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), has introduced clinic-in-box (CIB) portacabins in some of the treatment sites it supports.

A statement signed by the Communications Manager of the institute, Mr Dennis Mordi, in Abuja on Saturday, said the CIB was to improve quality treatment and care for people living with HIV and tuberculosis.

It said that hospitals that benefited from the gesture include Asokoro District Hospital (ADH), National Hospital and Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi.

The statement said the clinic usage differed in each of the sites, adding that in ADH, it was used as a TB clinic while at FMC Keffi, it was used as clinic annex as well as TB.

‘The structure is a clinic situated in a box-like compartment for services such as HIV counselling, testing, treatment and providing care and support for orphans and vulnerable children.”

According to the statement, the Regional Manager of the institute in the FCT, Dr Benedict Mairiga, said the structure is built to complement hospital facilities with severe space constraints for people living with HIV and TB.

“The portacabin is movable and needs very small space and can be dismantled, it is also cost effective and environmental friendly, with the structure, more people living with HIV can be treated and cared for.’’

It said the CIB was provided by IHVN with the support of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), through the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.