By KENNETH OBIEH
The government of Delta State has promised to collaborate with various Advocacy groups in creating awareness to fight HIV, TB and malaria, along with the impact of Covid-19 in various communities in the state.
The Permanent Secretary Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Winful Orieke stated this when he declared open a 6 days program organised by Civil Society for Malaria, immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) in collaboration with Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDs network to implement the two years project (2021-2023) of Covid-19 Response Mechanism and Resilient and sustainable system for Health strengthening (C19RM/RSSH) in Asaba.
Dr. Winful revealed they have done community activities with so many health related advocacy groups like Acomin, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDs among others in kicking out diseases from the state.
The PS disclosed when there is community involvement, the activities becomes sustainable and the people are fully aware of the need to complement government efforts on sensitisation in their communities.
He said some of the advocacies have supported them in the distribution of mosquitoe nets and sensitisation on nutrition while encouraging others to join on the crusade to inform the young mothers on the importance of breastfeeding their children.
Again, he called on the groups not to relent at this time where the Covid-19 is still ravaging our communities saying “the risk is still there to prevent not only the omicron variants but new ones that are likely to come.
Earlier, the Executive Director Delta State Agency for control of Aids (SACA) Dr John Osuyali commended the facilitators on this initiative of contributing their selfless services to humanity in assisting to prevent and reasonable curb the endemic in the communities.
Dr Osuyali urged them to take ownership of the program for it is better they fully integrate the community for genuine sustainability with immense results.
Various stakeholders from the religious body, health sector, media, security experts and government personnel were all present for Intensive lectures given by the facilitators from the national body for the 6days program from 1st to 6th august, 2021.
On the first 3days, there was state level orientation of the Community Led Monitoring (CLM) team were 15 based communities organisation were lectured on the need to enable their various communities accept and take ownership of the project within the two years.
Consequently, the national facilitators used the next 3days to impact meaningfully on the State Advocacy Team (SAT) which was later inaugurated by Dr Osuyali.
On behalf of other team members, the chairman of SAT, Mr. Greg sifo thanked members for the opportunity given to serve and promised to provide the needed leadership for Result based performance at the end of the project.
