This was announced when a team from Office of the Global AIDs Coordinator (OGAC), Washington DC, led by Bill Paul paid a courtesy call on the commissioner for health, Dr Dominic Ukpong.
Media Officer, FHI 360, Edidiong Sambo in a statement, quoted the visiting team as acknowledging government effort and hoped that elimination of user fees will abrogate all barriers to treatment by People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in the State.
Sambo said the OGAC team was in the state to assess the ongoing HIV surge response and that they were satisfied with the level efforts by USAID and other implementing partners, noting that the surge response is aimed at HIV epidemic control in Akwa Ibom State.
The statement noted that the recent visit of the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart W. Symington to the State was to “launch USG most important effort – to save lives that would have otherwise been lost.”
“His advocacy was to ensure all those living with HIV know their status and those who are positive are commenced and retained on treatment.
The Ambassador also stated that if the team of USG and Akwa Ibom State government achieves this, it will further showcase the state government commitment of prioritizing the health and well being of his people.
“The Executive Governor, Mr Emmanuel Udom then gave his commitment to work with implementing partners to achieve epidemic control in the state within the stipulated period.
“The circular which was signed by the permanent secretary, ministry of health – Dr Patrick Essiet is a continued effort by the government of His Excellency Mr Udom Emmanuel to provide free, accessible and quality health services to children under the age of five, pregnant women, the aged over 65 years and other categories of persons as may be determined by government.”
