The Akwa Ibom State Government has been commended by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) for its people-oriented approach to health care service delivery and wellbeing of people living with HIV.
In a congratulatory letter to Governor Udom Emmanuel, a copy of which was made available to the media, the UNAIDS Country Director, Erasmus Morah applauded the state government for its commitment to eliminating financial barriers to persons living with HIV, accessing critical health services.
He added that the free health care policy for children under 5years, pregnant women and the aged is commendable.
According to Morah, the Emmanuel-led administration’s policy on health care delivery has contributed significantly to laying the pathway for achieving universal coverage and ensuring equitable access to HIV prevention and treatment in the state.
While charging other State governments to emulate Akwa Ibom in promoting and protecting the health and wellbeing of Nigerians, the UNAIDS Country Director maintained that the health policy as implemented by the State will position Nigeria to end the AIDS epidemic and attain sustainable Development Goal number 3.
There has been controversy over the extent of the prevalence rate of the disease in the state with the state government disagreeing with the yearly assessment indicators which often put Akwa Ibom as being among the states with high prevalence of the disease.
ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo
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