December 01, (THEWILL) – Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, says his administration will work with global commitments to end AIDS by 2030.
The Governor made the pledge in Calabar during the flag of the 2023 World AIDS Day with the theme: “Communities: Leadership To End AIDS By 2030”.
Otu, who was represented by his wife, Rev. Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, said, “We are ensuring that community systems and their structures are strengthened, resourced, and empowered to deliver on global commitments towards ending AIDS by 2030. That’s our commitment to all of you.
“The Government of Cross River State will continue to promote domestic resourcing of HIV interventions and the mobilization of community members for gender-equitable social norms and gender equality in the uptake of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for people living with and affected by HIV.
“We will continue to provide support and work assiduously with partners to ensure that our citizens have access to all the life-saving treatments for a state free of HIV.”
On his part, the State Health Commissioner, Henry Egbe Ayuk PhD, said the battle against AIDS can be won by placing community leadership at the centre of HIV plans, programmes, budgets and monitoring efforts.
In his words, “Removing barriers to community leadership, and ensuring space for civil society groups to take forward their vital work. This also means increased domestic resource mobilization to enhance community involvement and participation in HIV programming.
“It means removing stigma barriers and ensuring people who live with HIV are at the forefront of providing leadership for HIV programming involving prevention, care and treatment.
“AIDS is beatable and we all can support communities to end the HIV scourge in their niches around Cross River State, Nigeria and the world.”
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
