Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has commissioned the northwest zonal office of the National Agency for the Control of Aids, NACA with a call on the people within the zone to endeavour to know their HIV status.
The office was established in the state to decentralize efforts at combating the menace of HIV/Aids within the northwest geopolitical zone.
Governor Ganduje, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, expressed delight with the choice of Kano for siting the zonal office.
He said it would improve the effort of Kano State Agency for the Control of Aids (SACA) in policy formulation, towards improvement of service delivery, as well as coordinating activities of other development partners fighting the disease in the state.
“The most recent survey conducted in all the states of the federation, the prevalence rate for Kano has improved from 2.5 percent to 0.5 percent,” which he described as a laudable achievement for the state.
He said the reduction in prevalence rate was a reflection of immense support given to prevention of HIV/Aids by his administration.
He assured that the state government is always willing and ready to work hand in hand with NACA and other development agencies to intensify the war against HIV until it is totally eradicated from the state.
“We will also continue to build capacity of human resources for health across all levels of care in the state in order to improve HIV/Aids prevention, curative and supportive services across the state.
In his keynote address, the NACA Director General, Dr Garba Aliyu Gumel, emphasized the need to eradicate stigma against persons living with the disease, describing it as the major factor killing victims.
He said the office was established to decentralise efforts for fighting the disease.
“Getting this edifice will further bring the activities of national agency for the control of aids closer to the people, sensitization will be intensified, people will be sensitized to go and test voluntarily to know their status, regardless whether you are positive or negative, if you are positive you will be placed on antiretroviral therapy freely and if you are negative you would be advised on how to stay safe.’’
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
