By Francis Onoiribholo - Bureau Chief Benin
Edo State Government has inaugurated the state Management Team (SMT) on HIV/AIDS with a charge to reduce HIV/AIDS prevalence. Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who performed the inauguration, tasked the members to provide annual report on HIV activities in the state.
The inauguration of the State Management Team (SMT) which has the state Commissioner for Health as Chairman, Project Manager, state Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Secretary, representatives of Local Government Councils, the academia and other stakeholders.
Ihonvbere remarked that the SMT is also in line with the goals of Edo State 2010-2015 strategic plan, which aims to further reduce
the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the state which presently stands at 0.8 per cent.
State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aihanuwa Eregie, had in an address said, “Though a lot has been achieved locally and nationally in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the statistics are still frightening” in some parts of the country, hence the initiative.
According to the commissioner, the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with development partners has been able to set up HIV comprehensive care centres in 15 of the General Hospitals across the state.
Project Manager, SACA, Hajia Marriet Binkola, gave further insight into the activities of the team. The State Management Team is borne out of the Presidential Comprehensive Response Plan (PCRP) unveiled by President Goodluck Jonathan on July 15, 2013 to Co-ordinate and begin to take ownership and responsibility of HIV response at the state level.
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