HIV Response: Iluma Calls on Stakeholders to Support NGOs, IPs
The Director General of the Bayelsa State Agency for the Control of AIDS, BYSACA Dr Temple Iluma has called on all stakeholders in the health sector to support Non-governmental Organizations, NGOs and Implementing Partners, IPs involved in the HIV response.
Dr Iluma disclosed this during a stakeholders forum of the official launching of the Transforming Health and Resilience for Individuals through Vibrant Empowerment, THRIVE project in Bayelsa State.
He noted that the presence of NGOs and international partners has improved the health system and has also provided employment opportunities for many residents of the state.
“They give financial support, vital documentation for birth certificates and they have assisted many households, I have confidence in them because they are doing the right thing, everything that happens in the health sector through them is for the benefit of the people”
The DG BYSACA emphasized the need for key stakeholders, local government administration and other medical institutions in the state to collaborate with NGOS and international partners to strengthen the health system in the state.
While speaking with newsmen on the forth coming World AIDS Day, he urged all residents of the state to remain cautious and take preventive measures by regularly checking their HIV status.
On her part, Chief of Party, CoP, THRIVE project, Dr Faith Lanap explained that the THRIVE project is a United States government funded cooperative agreement that is being implemented by a consortium of partners led by an NGO, Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research Nigeria, CCCRN.
“The project is to strengthen bidirectional linkages between the community and health facilities for children and adolescents living with HIV, integrate maternal and neonatal child health interventions”
Dr Lanap pointed out that the focus of the project is to ensure that children and adolescents living with HIV are found, linked to treatment program to achieve viral suppression.
She appreciated the state government, the management of the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme, BHIS, the Bayelsa State Agency for the Control of AIDS, BYSACA for the support in the successful implementation of previous projects in the state.
Earlier, in a welcome address, State Program Officer, CCCRN, Mr Moses Olleh thanked all partners and called for continuos support to ensure that the THRIVE project achieve its objectives to improve the lives of the vulnerable particularly those living with HIV in the state.
