…as NACA DG applauds Otu
By Onwa Ekor
Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, says President Bola Tinubu, has approved $200m to maintain service continuity for essential health commodities.
Ilori made the disclosure during an interactive meeting with Implementing Partners, Civil Society Organizations, as well as other stakeholders, held at the Cross River Agency for the Control of AIDS (CR-SACA) office in Calabar.
She added that with global support, NACA has established an operational 10,000 liter oxygen plant at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital with other plants sited in Ikom and Ogoja to ensure that the State is fully covered for all forms of emergency situations.
Continuing, she announced federal government plans to produce ARVs and other essential commodities locally by early 2026, to ensure sustainability in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
According to her, the 2025 World AIDS Day will focus on sustaining national responses amid disruptions, while reinforcing the need for government investment at all levels.
Ilori used the opportunity to applaud the Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, for his strategic initiatives in combating HIV/AIDS in the State, as well as the governor’s Wife, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu and the DG SACA, Dr. Charles Iwara, for their collective impact on infrastructure and response activities.
“We are pleased with Governor Otu’s relentless efforts in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, especially his policy to include people living with AIDS in the Health Insurance Scheme, a feat which provides them a sense of belonging,” Ilori said, advising that, the local production of ARVs must adhere to proper certification standards.
Earlier, the Director-General, Cross River Agency for the Control of AIDS (CR-SACA), expressed gratitude to the federal government for its contributions to mitigate the impact of dwindling funds.
He assured NACA DG that the present administration in the state would not relent in ensuring that citizens receive care and treatment, with the goal of eliminating new infections.
While calling on the federal government to support the State with commodity provisions, the DG also thanked Implementing Partners (IPs) for their support, including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) for their partnership and collaboration, which has made Cross River a safer place in the pursuit of zero new infections by 2030.
State Coordinator of the Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), Mr. Uwana who spoke on behalf of Implementing Partners, acknowledged the supportive environment created by the State, intimating their operations in 64 facilities and reaching over 38,000 individuals with treatment.
The day’s event featured the symbolic inauguration of a condom dispenser unit mounted at the entrance of CR-SACA and strategically placed around the metropolis.
