Over one hundred and three point eight billion naira grant from global fund has been earmarked for resilience and sustainable health system programme in eighteen states, including Ondo State by the federal government through National Agency for the control of AIDS, NACA.
Following this, a five man state advocacy team was set up to coordinate activities of community based organizations to ensure successful implementation of the programme in Ondo State.
As part of effort to ensure effective implementation of the program in Ondo state, community and religious leaders, national orientation agency (NOA), non- governmental organizations , journalist, women groups converge in Akure, Ondo state for a three day training stepping up advocacy aimed at identifying and strengthening the health sector.
The monitoring and evaluation manager, network of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Mrs Nkechi Okoro, said the program had opened the eyes of community based organizations, CBOS, to what they needed to do in the area of advocacy.
The facilitator and the officer in charge of national monitoring and evaluation on the grant , Mr Jerry Antai, explained that the global fund was aimed at achieving quality in service delivery in the state head system.
The project manager, Ondo state agency for the control of aids (ODSACA), Dr Dayo Adegbulu, described the grant as a global health grant that will proffer solutions to some gaps and build a robust health system.
Ondo state programme officer of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, Mrs Olajumoke Ogunyemi–Abereowo, said the grant would give hope to the people with HIV/AIDS, Malaria and tuberculosis in the state who where not given adequate attention during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants at the programme include the state coordinator for malaria control, Mr Junid Adeyemi- Gold, NGO director, Mrs Folashade Bamiboye and coordinator Tuberculosis network, Mrs Ayomide Jayeola appreciated the organisers of the workshop, describing it as timely, helping to build their capacity in terms of advocacy, issues around HIV, Tuberculosis, malaria and gender related issues and ways to proffer solutions or help victims.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated state advocacy team, high chief Akomolafe Pius gave an assurance of the team’s commitment to discharging its duties as expected.
