Worlds Aids Day:Rivers Government launches U=U campaign in collaboration with IHVN,UNICEF

The Rivers State Government in collaboration with the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) , Centre for Disease Control (CDC ), UNICEF , Aquaman Care Global Sevices, Medical Women Association M1,and other medical bodies launched the U =U campaign  as part of events to recognize this years Worlds Aids Day at the St. Andrews Model Primary School , Mile 1 , Ikwerre road, Port Harcourt.

The Governor of Rivers State was represented by his Deputy Dr. Ipalibo Banigo Harry at the launching of U=U campaign.

Undetectable equals to Un-transmittable campaign  is  aimed at providing the required information and Hiv treatment for HIV+ individuals to maintain undetectable viral load blood to prevent the transmission of the virus to other persons.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health , Dr. Caroline Wali expressively thanked the Governor of Rivers State for supporting the program “It is on record that we have 878 Aids Facilities in the State including primary, secondary and tertiary health care centres for HIV+ individuals as a result of the scourge influx in the state.

“Recently the Governor of Rivers State His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has abolished legal fees for treating people living with Hiv in Rivers State, this has  received national and international applause.

“We have had very significant improvement in access to healthcare delivery services in the state ; CDC has created 150 functional healthcare centres which include 30 private facilities and 87 comprehensive treatment site.

The state has established 2 multi-million dollar state of the art CTR machine at the Rivers State Teaching Hospital RSTH for early diagnosis and patient monitoring. 

“We acknowledge the collaborative assistance from CDC Atlanta, USA, The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria ( IHVN), UNICEF, Medical Women Association MI, SPDC, Aquaman Care Global Services , the media and other Medical control unit as we are making substantial progress in combacting the HIV epidemic.

“We express our appreciation to the Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike for his exemplary support to the program and we believe in no distant time we would achieve a HIV free generation” a representative of people living with HIV , NET 1 also revealed that the community peer educators working in 47 counseling centres has achieved significant result in dropping the viral load of persons living with HIV in their community.

The occasion was proceeded by Dance performance of pupils from the St. Andrews Model Primary followed by free HIV testing.