Kwara Govt inaugurates PMTCT in prevention of HIV/AIDS

 

By Alex Ajayi

The Kwara Government has inaugurated Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Paediatric Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Acceleration Plan Committee, to prevent the speead of HIV/AIDS in the state.

Mr. Kayode Alabi, Kwara Deputy Governor, and Chairman, Kwara AIDS Control Agency, at the inauguration in Ilorin, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to eliminating Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission, particularly among new babies.

Alabi expressed gratitude to National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), who spearheaded the initiative, for selecting Kwara as one of the pilot states for the program.

The deputy governor emphasised the state’s unwavering commitment to tackling HIV/AIDS despite limited resources.

According to him, Kwara has consistently demonstrated leadership in the fight against HIV, and the recognition by NACA is a testament to the state efforts.

“We are determined to eliminate mother-to-child transmission and ensure that children already affected receive the best possible care.

“Through this newly-inaugurated committee, we aim to make mother-to-child HIV transmission a thing of the past.

“Kwara government has zero tolerance for HIV transmission, especially to unborn children.

“Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is commitment to healthcare, hence, the need for continued collaboration with national and international partners to sustain and expand HIV response programs in the state,” he said.

Hon. Razaq Owolabi, member representating Share/Oke-Ode constituency, Kwara House of Assembly, assured that the committee’s mission to reduce the prevalence of mother-to-child HIV transmission would receive the assembly’s full support.

In her speech, the Director-General of NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori, commended the state leadership for its readiness to drive the initiative forward.

According to Ilori, the integration of HIV services into the National Health Insurance Scheme for vulnerable groups is one of the major targets of NACA, which Kwara has already implemented.

Also, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, said the committee’s inauguration was not just an administrative exercise, but a call to urgent action.

“Although, Kwara has one of the lowest HIV prevalence rates in Nigeria, Gov. AbdulRazaq is committed to achieving a 0.0 per cent prevalence rate,” he said.

Similarly, Dr. Selim Alabi, Executive Secretary, Kwara State AIDS Control Agency (KWASACA), assured that the initiative’s goals would be achieved with capable hands, strong structures and robust partnerships.

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