Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has tasked Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to work towards reducing the 20 per cent incidents of pregnant mothers with HIV giving birth to infected children to zero percent.
Speaking at a World AIDs Day Symposium organised by the Lagos State AIDS control Agency (LSACA) themed:” Putting People First, take the rights path sustain the HIV Response and stop HIV among children to end AIDS in 2030”, Sanwo-Olu said that it is unacceptable that in 2024 mother to child transmission is still be experienced.
The governor, who was represented by Commissioner For Health, Professor, Akin Abayomi, said his administration is committed to reducing stigmatisation and discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDs through strengthening community-based support systems.
Sanwo-Olu said he was optimistic that the effort would ensure a brighter, healthier future for Lagos and achieve an AIDs-free generation.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Tayo Ayinde, in his goodwill message, restated the commitment of the state government to shaping synergy and strategies, build on its successes while pushing forward with renewed vigor to eradicating HIV epidemic in the state.
The Head of Service, Bode Agoro, who spoke through Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Oluwatoyin Oke-Osanyintolu, said the government had been promoting and creating a culture of compassion as well as respect to secure the future of the people as it continued to champion the course to end the spread of HIV.
The Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Folakemi Animashaun, said the agency had reached out to over 5000 traders, trained religious leaders and traditional birth attendants, as well as uplifted the livelihood of older people living with HIV in its commitment to creating awareness and eliminating new infections.
Present at the event aimed at discussing critical HIV issues, focusing on children and sustainable response strategies were representatives of the Wife of the Governor, Dr Ibijoke, Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, royal fathers among other dignitaries.
