The General Manager of State AIDS Control Agency SACA, Dr. Charles
Doherty has reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to always make
resources available towards reducing the transmission rate of HIV/AIDS
in the state.
The SACA boss gave the affirmation while playing host to a delegation
from the Resources Mobilization Department of the National Agency for
the Control of AIDS (NACA) in Ado Ekiti
Dr. Doherty said that the resources allocated to the agency were low
and not released on time, saying the present administration led by
Governor Biodun Oyebanji has assured the agency of better and timely
funding from the 2023 budget.
While expressing displeasure with the leadership of NACA for putting
up programmes in the state without the knowledge of SACA, Dr Doherty
however lauded the support of the Ministry of Health and Human
Services headed by Dr. Oyebanji Filani, and other stakeholders in the
in the health sector of the state for being proactive at ridding the
state of the epidemic.
The General Manager also appreciated the effort of communities and
partnering organisations, which including peer educators, networks of
people living with or affected by HIV, young people counselors,
community health workers, door-to-door service providers, civil
society organizations and grass-roots activists for their commitment
at keeping HIV/AIDS prevalence low in the state.
The SACA boss further expressed concern that HIV was still a threat to
men, women and children in the country hence the need to put in place
necessary political will and financial support to ensure that those
living with the virus are adequately taken care of.
Earlier, the Performance Management and Resource Mobilization
Director, who led the NACA team to the state, Mr. Anthony Janya said
the purpose of the visit was to know the appropriation of funds
designated to the agency for the past 3 years and meet with
stakeholders for their support.
He promised to take SACA request to the appropriate quarters and
ensure that the agency have access to necessary supports from NACA.
The Director of administration SACA in the state Mr. Rotimi Ojo
appreciated the team and promised a better collaboration with NACA to
ensure a sustained HIV response in the country.
