The Secretary to the state Government, Hon .Festus Ovie Agas ,who declared the exercise open under the auspices of the State Action Committee on Aids, SACA, said the integrated services include malaria treatment,Blood pressure and sugar level checks amongst other related services.
Hon. Agas said the exercise was aimed at bringing HIV and AIDS education services to the grassroot and to ensure that the people know the steps to take in order to prevent contracting and transmitting the virus.
He said the exercise was billed to take place in twenty selected communities from ten local government areas in the state including Ika North East, Ukwani, Ndokwa East, Isoko North,Isoko SOUTH and Warri South.
Hon. Agas noted that in the past,the HIV prevalent rate was 5.8percent but had reduced to 0.7percent among the general population and 3.6percent from Ante natal attendance according to the recent survey.
While saying that the Okowa led administration was passionate about the well being of all Deltans, Hon. Agas said that the vision of the present administration was to ensure that the state was free of HIV and AIDS.
He enjoined all stakeholders including traditional rulers, women and youth leaders, market women organisations, students, religious and opinion leaders as well as care givers to ensure that they sensitized their people on HIV/Aids education. He pointed out stigmatization and discrimination as the major challenges in the fight against the scourge and enjoined all to avail themselves of the opportunity to access the test.
The state Action Committee on Aids, SACA manager, Dr. John Osuyali, said the integrated HIV counselling and Services was a grassroot activity supported by the World Bank and commended the state government for its support towards the actualisation, even as he expressed hope that the government would sustain the programme.
The Manager urged the people to take the sensitization seriously and avail themselves the opportunity to access the test.
He commended the local government action committee on Aids for its efforts in carrying out its activities effectively.
On his part, the Chairman of the local government area, Mr. Francis Ebonka thanked government for the exercise , adding that it will enable the people cultivate a lifestyle that will avoid spreading the virus. Highlight of the ceremony was the testing conducted on the SSG and the Chairman of the Local government Council.
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