LG Boss Tasks LACA On HIV/AIDS Prevention

The Local Government Action Committee on AIDS (LACA), has been challenged to put in place plans and programmes that would raise the present level of response to HIV/AIDS prevention, especially at the grassroots to ensure the safety of the rural dwellers.

Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Council, Hon Maclean Uranta threw the challenge at the end of a three-day training workshop on “Minimum Prevention Package Intervention (MPPI) organised by LACA at Opobo town, last Thursday.

Hon Uranta who praised the management of LACA in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area for its efforts at sensitising the people in the area on the dreaded disease said much needed to be done at the grassroots in discouraging stigmatisation against those infected with the HIV/AIDS scourge.

The council chairman expressed disappointment at the State Primary Health Care Management Board which he said collected 3 percent of local governments’ fund at source without carrying out programmes that had direct bearing on the rural populace, pointing out the need to initiate and implement programmes that would improve the health conditions of the people.

“Rather than continued deduction of 3 per cent counterpart fund from the local government councils’ monthly allocations without anything to show for it, the SPHCMB should initiate and implement health programmes and sensitise the rural people on how to enjoy better health conditions”, he stressed.

Describing HIV/AIDS as a social scourge with adverse effects on the society and the economy, Uranta urged for all to join forces in the fight against the disease, which for now has no cure, saying that his administration was not leaving any stone unturned to ensure its minimal reduction in the area.

In her remarks, the Deputy Director, Prevention of the Rivers State Action Committee on AIDS, Emilia Obilor lauded the Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Council Chairman, Maclean Uranta for his support to the committee in the area and his entire developmental strides.

Explaining that the training programme was to build capacity of community and faith-based organisations as well as the GHCW to enable them address the behavioural change of the people towards the HIV/AIDS, Obilor advised the people to always go for test and counselling to know their health status.

Shedie Okpara