CALABAR– The Cross River State Agency for the Control of AIDS (CR-SACA) will on December 1st, mark the year 2021 World AIDS Day from the with University of Calabar Main Gate
The 2021 event with the theme, “End Inequalities, End AIDS Through Sustainable HIV Financing”, will also kick off with the cutting of ribbon at UNICAL Main Gate and with a follow-up of other lofty programme of activities which includes health talks from top government officials and implementing partners, commissioning of the University of Calabar Youth Friendly Centre, HIV Counselling and Testing amongst others.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the Director General of the agency, Dr Etcheri Ansa and made available to The News Ville on Tuesday.
While reeling out the agency achievements in the year under review, Dr. Ansa stated that due the outstanding activities on HIV/AIDS responses, it got an award from NACA for outstanding performances.
She stated that the agency was able to achieve the training of APYIN for Adolescent kit 15 to 18yrs, Adolescent and Young People Training (18 to 25yrs), Reinforced LACA/SACA forums to strengthen the LGA activities, and performance management mission for NACA, Health development conference, support to students and other bodies on HIV/AIDS related issues,
CR-SACA, according to her also sets up HIV counselling and Testing Centres/Hubs across health facilities, regular with diligent follow up of those living with the virus, supply of HIV drugs with no charges, and intense data collection and collation amongst others.
Dr. Ansa therefore lauds the contribution of the state governor, Prof. Ben Ayade for his tremendous support to the Agency and for leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that cross riverians remain safe and disease free.
Adding that, the agency also had the support of the first lady, Dr. Linda Ayade, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu, and other partners UNICEF, UNFPA, Jhpiego, Heartland Alliance, AHF, CCRN, and FHI360 in achieving the goals set for the year.
She however called on the citizens to practice the habit of getting tested at least once in every 3 Months, remain faithful to our partners, use of condoms, if they cannot practice total abstinence, taking of drugs religiously to reduce the viral load and above all say no to stigmatization on those living with the virus.
