As part of measures to ensure proper treatment of HIV/AIDS in the State, the Oyo State Government, through the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA), has urged all Healthcare Centres to offer a comprehensive HIV treatment, care and support to People Living with HIV across the State.
Gbola Adetunji, a Physician and OYSACA Chairman, during a working visit to some treatment sites in the State, stated that the Agency was conducting the visits to familiarize itself with Health centres, identify challenges, and determine areas where OYSACA could provide assistance.
He admonished the centres to maintain a friendly character with People Living with HIV and frequently educate them that being HIV- positive does not mean the end of life, emphasising that People Living with HIV could live healthy long lives if they adhere to the treatment and follow prescriptions.
The former two-term Commissioner for Health, advised individuals to regularly check their HIV status, using free and voluntary testing facilities available at Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs), State Healthcare Centres, and selected Private Healthcare Centres that cut across the State.
In their separate responses, the ART Coordinators at the Health Centres visited, appreciated the Agency’s timely actions and steps, but they however appealed to the Agency to address the issue of inadequate test kits facing some Centres, facilitate and resuscitate support groups for People Living with HIV, accessing treatment and care in their facilities.
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They thanked Governor Seyi Makinde for appointing Gbola Adetunji as OYSACA Board Chairman, believing his wealth of experience would enhance the Agency’s activities and visibility.
The visited sites included Comfort Medical Centre, Total Garden, Idi-Ogungun Primary Health Care Centre, Agodi Gate, Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital (AMTH), Yemetu all located in Ibadan.
