Government Expects Drop in HIV Rating as Aid Agency Pull Out of Cross River

by crossriverwatch admin

Professor Angela Oyo-Ita, Cross River State Commissioner for Health speaking at the event

The Cross River State Government has expressed its expectation to see a drop from the present rating of 7.1% in HIV infection in the State as a result of its comprehensive control program of HIV in the State.

The State Commissioner for Health, Professor Angela Oyo-Ita stated this in Calabar during the winding up ceremony of Center for Integrated Health Programs (CIHP), a United States/Federal Government HIV support agency which has been in the state for 6years.

The Commissioner said Cross River State before 2006 when CIHP came into the state had a prevalence rate of 12% of the people living with HIV in Nigeria, saying the rate as at then was one of the highest in the Country after Benue and Akwa Ibom.

“Most disturbing about the rating was because most of the affected people are living in the rural areas, and government in partnership with development partners like Center for Integrated Health Programs CIHP has been very supportive and today the story has changed as we expect a drop in the current rating.

“We will surely miss CIHP because the organization has been very supportive and his Excellency the governor of Cross River know this and appreciate their effort.” she said.

The program manager of CIHP Dr. Godswill Agada said the organization in partnership with Cross River State Government has succeeded in reducing the scourge from 12%in 2006 to 7.1% as at 2010 when the last assessment was done, stressing that their mode of identifying with the people living with HIV particularly in the rural communities, recruitment of doctors as well as provision of basic amenities to the communities in the 17 out of 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State have been effective.

Dr. Juliet Iseniyen who represented the Managing Director of CIHP, said even though 7% is low compared to what it used to be before the organization came on board, the sustainability of their program as monitored by the state and other developing partners will be their joy.

She said provision of succor for the people affected with HIV, will continue by FHIS which takes over from CIHP after its six years of stay in Cross River.