Benue govt lauds AHF for drastic reduction in HIV/ AIDS prevalence

Rose Ejembi, Makurdi

Benue State government has lauded the effort of the Aids Health Foundation (AHF) in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state saying the reduction of HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the state from 12 percent to 5.3 percent wouldn’t have been possible without efforts of organisations like AHF. 

Commissioner for Health and Human Services in the state, Dr. Emmanuel Eru, gave the commendation during the commissioning of a Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) built by AHF at Awuapila village, Mbalagh community of Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.

Eru, while cutting the tape for the commissioning commended AHF for its interventionist role in HIV/AIDS program of the state urged the people not to be afraid to come for testing, care and treatment, as according to him, HIV is not a death sentence.

The Health Commissioner who posited that the facility will save the rural dwellers the pains of travelling long distances to access healthcare services however warned that the state is still at risk of the spread of the epidemic,even as he encouraged the people to protect the facility from being vandalized.

Earlier in his speech, Country Programme Director of AHF Nigeria, Dr. Echey Ijezie, disclosed that the project was a continuation of the effort of AHF to ensure that health infrastructure are optimal, which advance the goal of the organisation to get HIV/AIDS services to everyone, especially, those in difficult to reach terrains.

He revealed that the commissioned facility comprised of a Pharmacy and Dispensary unit, two Counselling Rooms, a Rest Room for both male and female, Storage room, an M & E/Record Room, a Laboratory, as well as an expansive Waiting room.

While noting that the services are free, the AHF Country Programme Director encouraged the people of the area to come out, get tested, and embrace treatment at no cost to clients.

“We belive in the people. This facility is built by AHF with the support of the state government which has always supported our efforts.

“AHF believe in ensuring that services get to everybody, especially, those that are hard to reach. This is what we do in all communities where we operate. The services are free and I plead that the services are accepted by the people,” Ijezie said.