Director Hails Council’s HIV/AIDS Response Level

The Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Council of Rivers State has been commended for its response level in its programmes directed at the eradication and awareness creation of HIV/AIDs.

The Executive Director, Rivers State Agency for the control of AIDs (RIVSACA), Dr Chimezie Okeh, gave the commendation at an advocacy meeting between the agency and the council chairman with other staffers of the council at  Opobo, the council headquarters.

Dr Okeh, while commending the people on the low prevalence of the disease in the areas, lamented that stigmatisation was a serious problem, preventing people from presenting themselves for screening, councelling and treatment and charged health workers to maintain confidentiality.

He also noted that government was not adequately funding the fight against the disease and commended partner agencies and donors for putting up 90 per cent of the resources used in the war.

Chairman of the council, Hon Machean Uranta, who spoke through the Vice Chairman, Hon Patrick Alapuberesika lauded RIVSACA for its efforts in partnering with the council in providing training and promised to continue to work with the agency towards maintaining the health of the people.

He used the opportunity to thank RIVSACA for providing a CD4 count machine in the area and appealed for  the provision of a second machine to be sided in a hard-to-reach-area.

Tonye Nria-Dappa