Dr. Tomi Coker, Commissioner for Health, Ogun State
HIV/AIDS continues to pose a great challenge to public health in Nigeria as an estimated 1.9 million people live with the virus as of 2020 and of these, about 30,350 individuals are from Ogun State, with children making up approximately two percent of this population.
Despite this dreadfully alarming facts though, Ogun State government is determined to eradicate the spread of the disease, particularly among the vulnerable.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker disclosed this yesterday at a press briefing organised by Ogun State Agency for the Control of AIDS to commemorate the World AIDS Day 2024.
The state government is planning to adopt adequate public awareness, as well as cooperation and support from the people as part of the efforts to be adopted in combating the disease.
The commissioner said at the World AIDS Day 2024 with the theme, “Take the Right Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV among Children in Ogun State”, at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, that the state would focus on preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and ensuring that children living with HIV have access to care and treatments.
She highlighted the state’s achievements in combating HIV, including the creation of the Ogun State Alternate Medicine Board, engagement of additional implementing partners, training of Traditional Birth Attendants and community-based organisations.
She stressed that sustaining the momentum of the HIV response requires a comprehensive approach, involving prevention, testing, treatment, and support services, calling for increased funding for HIV programmes, tackling social determinants of health, strengthening community engagement.
Earlier in his addressed, Special Adviser to Governor on Media and Communication, Mr. Kayode Akinade, said it was imperative to scale-up awareness on AID/HIV through public enlightenment and education, in order to halt the virus totally.
He assured that the Ministry of Information and Strategy would continue to support the course of disseminating information against the spread of virus.
In their separate remarks, representatives of AID Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) and Damien Foundation, Belgium, Messers Micheal Ohue and Edwin Osunde respectively, said the fight against the infection was achievable, pledging to sustain their support to the state government in eliminating it.
