FHI360 has donated electronic centrifuge machines to 30 healthcare facilities in Cross River State, south-south Nigeria.
The Cross River Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu received the machines in Calabar, the state capital, on behalf of the state government under the FHI360 Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project.
The project is designed to enable societies combating the spread of HIV/AIDS be self-reliant by improving case finding, prevention, treatment and viral load suppression.
The international non-profit organization also donated two power generating sets to the Cross River State Ministry of Health as part of its strategic technical assistance and direct service delivery to enhance reduction in HIV prevalence.
Edu expressed appreciation to FHI360 for the commitment and support to the state saying, “I want to on behalf of the governor, Professor Ben Ayade appreciate FHI360 for the immense support to us as a state.
“I assure you that these items will be used judiciously and for the purpose which they have been donated.”
The Commissioner urged FHI360 to partner with the ministry to develop the capacity of health workers to ensure sustainability, while soliciting for more support in the area of eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV.
She said, “I want to also use this medium to solicit for capacity building to help encourage sustainability. We will continue to work with you by providing the enabling environment to continue to carry out your projects in the State.
“We are also committed to reduce the HIV/AIDs prevalence rate in Cross River from the current 2 percent to zero with emphasis on eliminating mother to child transmission of the virus.”
The representative of FHI360, Dr. Frank Eyam commended the Cross River State Government for the innovation and expertise brought to health system management.
The donations were to support health facilities to conduct more HIV test and provide lifesaving treatment.
“This administration has been exceptional and we sincerely appreciate Dr. Betta Edu for her efforts and support that has helped us to work effectively. Her result driven nature is one of the reasons we are excelling.
“These items are necessary because most blood samples collected always fail due to lack of centrifuge machines at facilities. With these machines, we now have a remedy,” Eyam said.
The items will also help save blood samples provided they are used for the right purpose. It can now ascertain the level of virus in a carrier’s blood and we will know if the viral load is reducing or not.
The machines were distributed to selected health facilities in Abi, Calabar Municipality, Odukpani, Akamkpa, Ikom, Obubra, Yakurr, Calabar South, Biase and Bakassi, Akpabuyo including the University of Calabar Medical Centre and the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS Medical Centre.
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