NACA faults government on HIV, AIDS control

The Delta chapter of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has condemned the existing efforts to curtail the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The NACA’s Director, Partnership Co-ordination, Dr. Emmanuel Hassan, blamed the state and the Federal Government for the slow pace.

Hasan, who spoke yesterday in Asaba said the disease was still uncontrollable in the rural areas, because the funds devoted to the disease’s control were inadequate.

He explained that from the initial 27 per cent which the Federal Government committed to the control, it had dropped to less than five per cent.

According to him, victims in the rural areas do not have access to drugs and treatment.

He urged the states to support the efforts of the Federal Government to make the agency to achieve the desired results.

But the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge disagreed with the NACA’s position on states’ contribution, adding that Delta is committed to providing for its sick people.

“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who is a medical doctor is very passionate about the health of its residents and has been doing his best for the few victims of HIV, AIDS in the state. We have moved into the rural communities to check the spread and we are also very supportive of the Federal Government’s efforts,” he said.

According to a report, six people died recently in Asaba, in circumstances linked to the dreaded disease.

They were alleged to have died after a long battle with the disease, which they reportedly contacted early this year.

Hassan said: “For the spread of the disease to be curtailed, there is the need for the state and local councils to be actively involved.”

He said the country had recorded a 41 per cent lower death rate from the disease in 2001, adding that getting the needed support could further reduce the disease.

Hassan explained that the Federal Government recently took the responsibility of treating about 15, 000 people living with HIV, AIDS in Abia and Taraba states.