Benue State Government has said it has domesticated laws aimed at protecting people living with the HIV/AIDS virus in the state.
This was disclosed by Gov. Hyacinth Alia during a road-walk awareness event in support of those living with HIV/AIDS.
Deputy Governor, Barr Sam Ode, who represented the Governor at the event, said the laws passed in 2019 were designed to curb discrimination and stigmatization against persons living with HIV/AIDS in the state.
He reaffirmed the administration’s determination to provide modern healthcare facilities for treatment of HIV/AIDS and care for victims.
Ode commended partners, including the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), international donors and technical partners for their continued support in combating the scourge in the state.
He said the administration considered response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic a prime priority and advocated for collaboration to tackle it.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, applauded development partners for their contributions to strengthening the state’s health sector.
He acknowledged the efforts of Governor Alia in the establishment of testing centres to encourage residents to know their status.
Chairman of the Shimaveren Support Group Association at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Dina Doose Aernyi, applauded the government for organising the road walk, noting that the exercise would help stimulate public awareness.
She called on the people who are yet to know their status to embrace the free HIV testing, assuring them of strict confidentiality.
Also speaking, the AHD Champion Lead Facilitator in Benue State, Josephine Angev, representing AFROCAB–UNITAID Save Lives Faster – THRIVE, said the organisation is not relenting in the awareness campaign against HIV/AIDS in communities across the state.
She noted that several areas, including Makurdi, Gboko and Gwer East LGAs had already been covered, with plans to extend outreach to the rest of the council areas in due course.
She commended the Alia administration for establishing HIV/AIDS testing centres in primary healthcare facilities in the state.
