New Bayelsa SACA Boss promises better working relationship with Stakeholders

Stakeholders providing care and support for Persons living with HIV/AIDS, PLWHA in Bayelsa state have been assured of a better working relationship with the Bayelsa State Agency for the control of HIV/AIDS, BYSACA.

Permanent Secretary of the agency, Dr. Mrs Oluwatoyin Azebi gave the assurance during a meeting with all line ministries and implementing partners held at the BYSACA Administrative Office in Etegwe, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.

Dr. Azebi who was recently posted to the agency noted that the essence of the meeting was to familiarize with all stakeholders in order to generate ad implement ideas that would ensure the management of HIV/AIDS in the state in line with national and global standards.

She said BYSACA is prepared to collaborate with the health and non- health sector to create more awareness, provide test kits, counselling sessions as well as the needed link to get treatment for those living with the disease in the state.

Also speaking, Director of Planning Research and Statistics in the ministry of Health, Mrs, Beatrice Olomiete said all line ministries would work with the new leadership of BYSACA to provide comprehensive HIV services and also ensure that data on PLWHA are properly collated.

Mrs. Olomiete called on all implementing partners to always write and report accurately all HIV counselling and testing services conducted by them to the appropriate authorities as all data collated would help the state government supply the needed equipment and drugs for those affected.

On his part, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in BYSACA urged the permanent secretary to use her good office to attract funds from the government and other international agencies to enable staff of the agency to reach out to affected persons in all local government areas of the state.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Bayelsa state ministry of Health, Education, Women Affairs and Non Governmental Organizations, NGOS in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Bayelsa State.