HIV/AIDS: DTSG Unveils State Strategic Plan for 2025-2027

HIV/AIDS: DTSG Unveils State Strategic Plan for 2025-2027

By Magnus Emuji 

Delta State Government (DTSG) has unveiled the State Strategic Plan (SSP) for HIV/AIDS for 2025-2027 with a robust measure to bring the number of infections to the barest minimum and ensure increase in the number of infected persons on treatment.

While unveiling the document, the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu who doubles as the Chairman of the Delta State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (DELSACA), described the plan as a practical and workable document. 

The governor also stated that the State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme was a flashpoint in Nigeria, disclosing that there was need to mainstream testing for HIV and Hepatitis into the State Health Insurance Scheme and make HIV treatment a priority.

He revealed that government would interface with the private sector and non- governmental organizations to join in the proposed funding for HIV/AIDS, noting that it was worrisome that the Delta State HIV prevalence (1.9%) was above the national average (1.4%) according to the 2018 National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS).

Governor Oborevwori stressed the need for traditional institutions and religious organizations and healing centers to sensitize the people at the grassroots on the risks associated with the disease .

He also emphasized that the State would adopt all-inclusive approach that would involve various stakeholders in the 25 Local Government Areas and the 370 wards in order for them to contribute their quota to support the government in addressing HIV challenges in the state.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, DELSACA, Dr. Rudolf Hobson stated that the Plan was developed through an inclusive and participatory process involving government institutions, civil society organizations, network of people living with HIV and implementing partners, ensuring technical robustness and stakeholders' ownership.

He called on the state government, corporate organizations, local government chairmen and good philanthropists to support the agency through funding now that foreign assistance was no longer coming to enable the agency record more success.

Dr. Hobson clarified that Delta State has a total of 65,368 People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and 51,723 PLHIV are on treatment. This represents 79% treatment coverage and a treatment gap of 13,645 PLHIV representing 21%.

The DELSACA Executive Secretary, however, stated that in the last monthly cycle, about 4,000 cases of HIV infections was reported and appealed for more support from government for HIV response through the Agency to bridge the gaps.

Dr. Hobson explained that there is need for the Agency to identify more people infected with HIV and place them on treatment, noting that the State has achieved 97% viral suppression.

 He  acknowledged the supportive role of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and Global Fund (GF) for providing financial resources for the SSP.

The South/South Zonal Coordinator of NACA, Mr. Thomas Nnamnso-Owo in his goodwill message stated that the SSP is a working document that would guide the operations of Implementing Partners, Line Ministries and stakeholders working on HIV/AIDS for effective, efficient and well-coordinated implementation of HIV/AIDS programmes in the State.

In their goodwill messages, the Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon. Ferguson Onwo, represented by Mr. Emmanuel Nwabudike, the State Coordinator of National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Chairman Nor, and a representative of people living with HIV in Delta State  appealed to the State government to deploy intentional mechanism to tackle HIV infections and stigmatization.

They lauded the Delta State Government for coming out with the State Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS, just as the representative of people living with HIV in the State identified insufficient funding as one of the major challenges preventing people from accessing HIV treatment.