2021 world Aids Day: GOMSACA says it made significant progress in reducing the spread

By Fatima Sadiq

Gombe State Agency for the Control of Aids (GOMSACA) said, the agency has made progress in reducing the spreads of HIV/ AIDS in the state.

The project Manager of GOMSACA, Dr. Suraj Abdulkarim, made this known which commemorating World AIDs day, at the emirs palace in Bajoga headquarters of Funakaye Local government area of Gombe state.

Dr Suraj Abdulkarim, said the United Nations has declared December 1 of each year as World AIDS Day, especially for those living with HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Suraj said, this was the reason why his agency in collaboration with Ashaka Cement Company and several non-governmental organizations such as the Center for Integrated Health Program (CHIP) and Network for people living with HIV and AIDs of Nigeria (NEPWAN), joined the international community on the occasion to commemorate the syndrome as mandated by the United Nations. .

He then called on people, especially those who are living with HIV/AIDS, but are hiding it for fear of stigmatization to visit Health facilities in various parts of the state to test or know their status and start proper treatment.

Dr. Suraj, further called on the state government to release more funds to purchase testing kids.

He then, thanked the Emir of Funakaye, Alhaji Mu’azu Muhammadu Kwairanga II, for the warm welcome and for their full support in making the event a success.

Dr Suraj also commend the Ashaka Cement Company for their significant contribution to the success of the event.

In his addressed, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) North East coordinator, Dr. Tobias John, said, HIV/AIDS has long been a major cause of death in the country, adding that the Nigerian government has succeeded in curbing the spread of the Virus through public awareness, sensitization and treatments to help people living with HIV live a normal life.

Dr. John, added that in the past, people living with HIV/AIDS were discriminated against in the community, explaining that the problem is now being addressed through public awareness.

Speaking on behalf of Non Governmental Organisations, the chairperson of the Center for Integrated Health Program (CHIP) Mrs. Deborah Zakayo, highlighted the successes of the organizations in educating the public, especially those living with the virus in terms of how they can live normal lives in their communities.

Earlier, the Emir of Funakaye, Alhaji Mu’azu Muhammadu Kwairanga II, expressed his gratitude to the management of GOMSACA and Ashaka Cement Company as well as the private sector for choosing his community to commemorate World AIDS Day.

Alhaji kwairanga the 2nd, added that such medical work is a matter of great patience and perseverance urging health officials to continue to work hard to ensure the well-being of the community.

Those who were tested for the disease, such as Zubairu Ajiya, Umar Adamu and Ramatu, also expressed happiness over the test results, which showed negative.

The theme for the 2021 world AIDS Day celebration is “End inequalities and Ends AIDS”.