Elizabeth Vincent, Yenagoa
The director general of the Bayelsa state agency for the control of AIDS (BYSACA), Dr. Temple Iluma, has called on all stakeholders in the health sector to support nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and implementing partners (IPs) involved in the HIV response.
Dr. Iluma made the call during a stakeholders’ forum held to officially launch the transforming health and Resilience for Individuals through Vibrant Empowerment (THRIVE) project in Bayelsa State.
He noted that the presence of NGOs and international partners has significantly strengthened the health system and provided employment opportunities for many residents of the state.
“They provide financial support, vital documentation such as birth certificates, and assistance to many households. I have confidence in them because they are doing the right thing,everything they undertake in the health sector is for the benefit of the people,” he stated.
The BYSACA director general emphasized the need for key stakeholders, local government authorities, and other medical institutions to collaborate with NGOs and international partners to further reinforce the state’s health system.
Speaking on the upcoming world AIDS Day, Dr. Iluma urged residents to stay vigilant and adopt preventive measures by regularly checking their HIV status.
In her remarks, the chief of Party (CoP) for the THRIVE project, Dr. Faith Lanap, explained that the initiative is a United States governmentfunded cooperative agreement implemented by a consortium of partners led by the Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research Nigeria (CCCRN).
“The project aims to strengthen bidirectional linkages between communities and health facilities for children and adolescents living with HIV, while also integrating maternal and neonatal child health interventions,” she said.
Dr. Lanap added that the project’s core objective is to ensure that children and adolescents living with HIV are identified, linked to treatment, and supported to achieve viral suppression.
She commended the state government, the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme (BHIS), and BYSACA for their support in successfully implementing previous health projects in the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Program Officer of CCCRN, Mr. Moses Olleh, thanked all partners and called for continuous support to ensure that the THRIVE project achieves its objective of improving the lives of vulnerable populations, particularly people living with HIV in the state.