Stakeholders charge Uzodimma on adequate budget for HIV/AIDs in Imo

Concerned stakeholders in Imo State have asked Governor Hope Uzodimma to invest adequate funds in the efforts to control the rate of HIV/AIDs cases in the state.

They made the call, yesterday, on the sidelines of the 2021 World AIDs Day (WAD) in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Speaking, Director General, Imo State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDs (IMOSACA), Dr. Charles Durueke, said lack of funding remained a major challenge to the fight against the disease in the state.

He stated that since most international funders were withdrawing their resources in the fight against the pandemic, Uzodimma should support the agency with budgetary allocations and funds to ensure sustained effort in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Other groups including the Catholic Caritas of Nigeria, Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, State AIDs and STI Control Programme and Network of People Living With HIV/AIDs in Nigeria, represented by Dr. Oluwaseun Abe, Reverend Sister Joseph Teress, Tony Ayoka, Desmond and Tony Duru, also urged political, community and religious leaders to partner with the government to rid Imo of the virus.

“Through our individual and collaborative efforts, we believe that Imo State will achieve epidemic control of HIV and go ‘Green,’ by ensuring the elimination of transmission of new HIV infections and sustained funding for the management of HIV services,” Abe said.

Also, Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Barthy Okorochukwu, who was represented by Dr. Uloma Evi-Park, commended the support partners and assured that the state government would not rest on its oars in its fight against HIV/AIDS.