RIVSACA Identifies Challenges To HIV/AIDS Response

The Programme Manager of the Rivers State Agency for the Control of AIDS (RIVSACA), Dr Naaziga Francis, has identified several hindrances to the fight against HIV pandemic in Nigeria.
Dr Nanziga, who spoke in an exclusive interview recently stated that such challenges include dwindling resources due to donor fatigue and changing focus due to other emerging global issues, such as covid-19 and terrorism.
According to him, there are also the challenges of little or no local resources, stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AiDS, poor health seeking behavior of women, especially rural dwellers, and use of alternative delivery places such as community reproductive Health Influences (CRHI), formerly known as Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and religious homes.
“There’s also low hospital delivery of HIV positive women, and high cost of Antenatal care (ANC).
The RIVSACA boss explained that the challenges to HIV/AIDS response were identified recently at a state strategic development plan on HIV/AIDS held across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The programe, which had in participation various stakeholders, was organized by the Rivers State Government In Collaboration with National Agency for the control of AIDS (NACA), supported by Global fund.