By Dave Uka
Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru has pledged support to people living with with HIV/AIDS while calling on community leaders to join hands with the State Government to promote policies geared towards the victims’ total healthiness.
The First Lady who spoke on Friday in Abakaliki at this year's celebration to commemorate World AIDS Day with theme; "Communities Leadership to End AIDS by 2030", noted that communities are at the fore of the response to HIV/AIDS, and their involvement is key in achieving sustainable progress.
Mrs Nwifuru reiterated that her foundation, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced (BERWO), will join forces to achieve an HIV /AIDS free generation by 2030.
"I want to plead with our community leaders in Ebonyi State to join hands with the State Ministry of Health and BERWO foundation in raising robust awareness, promoting preventive measures, providing support and care for those living with HIV/AIDS, and combating stigma and discrimination in other to archive the UNAIDs 95-95-95 goal by the year 2030."she added
The Commissioner for Health, Mr Moses Ekuma, in his opening remarks encouraged the general public to abstain from lifestyles that would help prevent the spread of AIDS.
Ekuma advised victims of the disease to adhere strictly to their medication and go about their normal life.
"Let all hands be on deck, as we gathered, stakeholders, community leaders to fight HIV to ensure that the target of ending by 2030 is achieved.
"We should start by knowing our HIV status,"Ekuma advised.
Mr Chibueze Iteshi, Programme Manager, Ebonyi State Agency for the Control of AIDS (EBOSACA) maintained that the agency has rolled out plan through other partners to conduct testing exercise for people.
Iteshi, said over 14,000 victims in the state are taking their Antiretrovirals HIV and AIDS Drugs.
He advised that while the drugs are taken, tendency of transmitting the virus to another was low.
In their sperate speeches, Representative of World Health Organisation, USAID-Integrated Health Programme, called to support community in leading the responds in HIV.
Meanwhile, Mrs Chinyere Okorie, Coordinator, Association of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS, commended the government and partners for the unique event and called for more support in provision of the retroviral drugs.
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