Charles Ekanem|31 May 2016|7:43am
UNAID, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO and Cross River State Health Team held a one day meeting on the Targeted Elimination of Mother to Child HIV Transmission (eMTCT) in Cross River State 2016-2017.
The meeting was overseen by UNICEF HIV and AIDS Specialist, Mrs Abiola Davies and coordinated by Mr Kenneth Ehouzou, Head of UNFPA Office, Calabar. Mr Ehouzou said the meeting was to discuss and agree on the response of HIV and AIDS issues in the state, the position of the state, and the way forward for 2016-2017 operational plan for eMTCT, as well as identify which institution will lead the response while all stakeholders remain on the table.
He also informed that a consultant has been hired to assist Cross River State develop 2016-2017 operational plan for e MTCT, asking for the state to play a pivotal role in ensuring the program is successful.
Head of the State Health team, Dr Inyang Asibong, Cross River State Commissioner for Health said Prevention of Mother to Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) elimination plan is very vital to the state. She lamented the process of engaging the consultant which according to her, the state was not carried along. She said the state Governor, Prof Ben Ayade will be grateful and willing to support the program in the state. Dr Asibong also called for community participation for the program.
Also speaking, Dr Betta Edu the DG CRSPHCDA, thanked UN bodies for chosing CRS as the first state in Nigeria where the pilot phase will hold. She noted that this is strongly linked to the commitment shown by the government of CRS under Sen. Ben Ayade which is clearly seen by international communities and development partners. She said the engagement of a Consultant by UNAID for 4-6 weeks to help the state get an elimination plan is apt. she pleaded that the program be integrated into other programs and not carried out like a stand alone vertical program.
In the same words, the Cross River State AIDS Agency (CRSACA) DG, Mrs Irene Aniyom ask the organizations involved to give the state Government a role to play in the whole eMTCT process from planning stage.
Mrs Abiola Davies, UNICEF HIV Specialist thanked the state health team for their resilient effort and assured them that the state will be carried along in the whole process. She stated that they will like to key into the one PHC per ward program to see how they can deliver on this project.
The meeting was well attended by representatives of UNFPA, Hon Commisioner of Health CRS, Dr Inyang Asibong, DG SPHCDA, Dr Betta Edu ,WHO consultant, Mr Bernard Ntui and DG CRSACA, Dr Irene Aniyom as they unanimously adopted the time line of activities for a successful take off of the project.
Charles Ekanem
Is the media aide to the DG, CRSPHCDA
