Rivers
‘PMTCT Ownership, Key to Ensuring General Access’ … Need for Reliable Documentation
The Programme Manager, Rivers State Agency for the Control of AIDS (RIVSACA), Dr Naaziga Francis, has stated that ownership of the PMTCT processes is a major means of checking the spread of HIV in the society.
Dr Francis, who spoke recently, shortly after a PMTCT Focal Persons meeting organised by the state AIDs and STIs control programme (SASCP), stated that ownership of the PMTCT process by all stakeholders will ensure, for instance, that follow-ups are made to all, or most, HIV positive pregnant women and their children.
Ownership of the process, he explained, means that all processes put in place “to make it easier for both identified HIV pregnant women and their children access necessary health care should be closely followed to ensure that they succeed”.
Such processes, he said, include knowing the number of positive women and children.
“If you know the number of (HIV positive) women and children, you have to follow them up since you know them by name and in person.
“If you do a proper follow-up, you can also project their date of delivery, and subsequently call them to find out if they actually come to deliver in he facility, or go somewhere else. You can then know what to do either case”, he said.
He further stated that another process is proper documentation of the data of HIV positive women and their children.
Noting that lack of proper and reliable documentation of HIV positive women and their children is a major challenge, which, he said, can only be overcomed if it is diligently done from the point of diagnosis, and followed up accordingly from stage of stage..
On his part, the Coordinator of ARV Services at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Dr Alali Dan-Jumbo, said beyond documentation being done at various stages, there is also the need to motivate the PMTCT Focal persons at various levels.
“It is a well known fact that anything not documented, even if you have done it, will look as if it has not been done.
“We need to motivate the focal persons at various levels: whether it is in PMTCT, or Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E). The main challenge, I think, is at the point of reporting what you’re doing.
“This is because, most times, some persons will see writing these reports as extra work, and may not do it diligently. When his happens, it affects reliable documentation”, he. said
In her presentation on the PMTCT situation in Rivers State, the PMTCT Focal person, SASCP, Mrs Agnes Dum-Igoni, stated that PMTCT has recorded poor performance due to low Antenatal Care (ANC) service uptake, and sub-optimal ART coverage among identified positive pregnant women.
Others, according to her, are low rates of facility deliveries, low uptake of early infant diagnosis services and low reporting of services rendered especially from some health facilities providing PMTCT and unskilled providers.
She, however, noted that if all hands are on deck, most of these issues identified will a thing of the past.
By: Sogbeba Dokubo
A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.
Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.
Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.
Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.
Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.
In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more
He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.
Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.
The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.
Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.
Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.
Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso