Rivers, US Governments Brace Up for Enduring Partnership in Tackling Infectious Diseases

The Rivers State Government has expressed appreciation to the United States Government for its immense support and sustained contributions that had helped in reducing the burden of HIV/AIDS in the State while improving the overall health of the people.

Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, expressed the appreciation when she hosted and conducted the Consul General of the United States, Mr. Will Steven, who was on a one day working visit to the State, round critical facilities at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) on Thursday.

Dr. Oreh recalled that the National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) of 2018 had put Rivers State HIV prevalence at 3.8%, which was above the national average of 1.4%, showing an unmet need of over 79%. 

Consequently, Dr. Oreh said Rivers State was categorized as a high burden, low saturation and prioritization State, leading to the establishment of the SURGE project by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) in April 2019 to address the challenge.

Dr. Oreh pointed out that with sufficient funding from the United States Government and technical support from the US Center for Diseases Control (CDC), the Rivers State Government through the health ministry administered the AIDS and STIs control programmes efficiently to close the gaps.

"The project has achieved the followings; the provision of enhance HIV testing services (HTS) to over 4.805,619 persons in the state especially in Local Government Areas with high number of estimated persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIVs).

"These services were taken to the doorsteps of residents in the various communities in addition to the traditional methods of providing HTS in the facilities. There was also  increase number of facilities providing Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) services from 88 to 114."

In his remark, the Consul General of the United States, Mr Will Steven, said his country's government is more interested in Nigerians to know that HIV/AIDS is preventable and no mother should give birth to HIV positive child if properly precautions are taken. 

"So, how do we make sure they are are healthy? That we are building the health system that we need to build and put in place so that they can have a future?  This is why I am so excited to be here today."

"We are here to talk about preventing mother- to-child transmission. No child should be born with HIV/AIDS. It is preventable. And what you are doing here is preventing it."

"This incredible texting and the support you are giving to the mothers before they give birth and afterwards is ensuring that the next generation doesn't have to face those threats."

In his speech, the Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Rivers State University, Prof. Chizindu Alikor, said RSUTH has expanded from 200-bed to 500-bed facility. It has also be strengthened with the partnership from the US government to become reputable as a center for AIDS care and data capturing authenticity s it remains committed to service, research and manpower development.