Imoke Approves N100m For HIV Test Kits

The Governor of Cross River State, Sen Liyel Imoke, has
approved N100 million to buy HIV and AIDS test kits, the Director-General of
the State Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDS, Mrs Irene Aniyom, has said.

“Due to the recent lack of HIV and AIDS test kits in the
country, we approached the state government and the governor approved the sum
of N100 million for us.

“We have not collected the money but we have called in the
experts who will supply the kits and collaborate with us in the handling, and
once the process is completed, the money will be released’’, she said

According to her, the governor has also paid N15 million as
part of conditions for World Bank-assisted programme to tackle HIV.

She stated that through campaigns by SACA, NGOs and donor
agencies, the prevalent rate of HIV had reduced to less than seven per cent in
the state.

“Every quarter, we have partners’ meeting where we review
all the activities. The partners also submit all their HIV and AIDS awareness
activities and programmes to us regularly’’, she said.

“Cross River is now a reference point on HIV and AIDS
matters in the country because of our governor’s immense contribution,” she
added.