• Catholic Church opens new medical centre amid rising healthcare costs
• Pledges affordable, professional treatment
Lagos State Government, yesterday, said that it plans to conduct a survey in which 6,150 households and approximately 11,354 people will be interviewed across all the 20 local councils in the state as part of efforts to get insights to better manage HIV in the state.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Olusegun Ogboye, stated this yesterday, during a media briefing organised by the state government, through the ministry in collaboration with implementing partners on Lagos State level Anti-Retroviral Impact Survey (AIS).
The survey themed “Every Step Counts: Towards an HIV-Free Nigeria,” is being conducted by Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health through the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP) and implementing national and international partners, including APIN-PHIS3 Project, PEPFAR, US CDC, NACA and other stakeholders.
Ogboye stated that the survey is a significant health initiative aimed at improving the well-being of the people of Lagos State. The survey, which will cover 205 enumeration areas, 6,150 households, and approximately 11,397 participants across the 20 local councils of Lagos State, seeks to estimate HIV treatment coverage and viral load suppression among adults aged 15–64 years.
On his part, Deputy Director, Epidemiology and Strategic Information at the U.S. CDC, Dr Ibrahim Dalhatu, described the initiative as a people-centred activity, despite its scientific basis.
Also, National Coordinator of NASCP, Dr Adebola Bashorun, who was represented by Deputy Director, Prevention at NASCP, Dr Chioma Ukanwa, described the AIS as a globally recognised exercise vital to epidemic control.
Director, Research Monitoring and Evaluation at NACA, Francis Agbo, said the survey provides an opportunity to track progress towards HIV epidemic control in Lagos.
Similarly, Deputy Director, Department of Surveillance at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Williams Nwachukwu, assured of NCDC’s technical support in ensuring quality data collection and analysis, while Project Director, APIN-PHIS3 Project, Dr Dare Onimode, described the town hall as another milestone in Nigeria’s fight against HIV.
MEANWHILE, with many Lagos residents struggling to afford quality healthcare in private hospitals, the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has opened a new medical centre in Maryland, pledging to provide affordable and professional treatment. Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, said the Centre would cater for both the wealthy and those unable to pay.
“This building will be a place of succour for those who are ill, where they can approach healthcare with confidence that they will get the best possible treatment.
The Parish Priest of St. Agnes, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Fadairo, admitted the project was difficult to finance but said it reflects the resilience of the parish community.
