The Kwara State Government has vowed not to relent in its efforts to protect and improve the healthcare of its people.
The state Deputy Governor and Chairman, Kwara State AIDS Control Agency, Mr Kayode Alabi made this known on Tuesday as the state joined the world to celebrate 2020 World AIDS day in his Office.
Mr Alabi said the Kwara State Government had continued the sustainability of HIV intervention gains by supporting the Kwara State AIDS Control Agency despite the emergence of COVID-19 and declining financial resources.
He added that despite the setback suffered in the fight against HIV/AIDS due to Covid-19, the State in partnership with the implementing partners have devised newer strategies and approaches at ensuring people living with HIV get the required care.
He lauded international donors’ support through the implementing partners for making the State achieve low prevalence, according to Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey 2018 report.
The Project Manager, Kwara State AIDS Control Agency, Dr Saleem Alabi, said the State had been using the health and the non-health sectoral approach in curbing the spread of HIV in the State.
He added that Covid-19 had limited the access of people living with HIV(PLHIV) to antiretroviral drugs in hospitals, especially during the lockdown.
Dr Alabi said the state government and partners subsequently decided to provide PLHIVs with medicines that could last for months.
Present at the event were Mr Owolabi Razak, Chairman, House Committee on Health and Environment, Commissioner for Health, Dr Raji Razak, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Abubakar Ayinla, Implementing Partners and other stakeholders.
By Tunde Akanbi, Ilorin
