The Centre for Integrated Health Programme has said that more than two million people have benefited from HIV/AIDS screening, treatment, and counseling services in Gombe State in the last 17 years.
The Chief Executive Officer of the centre, Dr. Bolanle Oyeledun, said this during a courtesy visit to the state deputy governor, Manassah Jatau, on Monday in Gombe.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CIHP is wrapping up its 17-year HIV/AIDS intervention designed to achieve epidemic control and improve the health status of the people in the state.
“More than a million pregnant women have been tested for HIV, and those who tested positive placed on treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission, ensuring healthier futures for countless children.
According to Oyeledun, the success represents the resilience of the people, the unwavering support of stakeholders, and the dedication of every healthcare worker involved in the campaign.
She underscored the importance of sustainability to build on the progress made over the years towards enhancing healthcare delivery.
Responding, Jatau lauded the programme, adding that, “health is the foundation of everything, without it, nothing else can be accomplished.
He said the intervention had assisted in reversing the tide of the HIV scourge by about 97 per cent in the state.
While reiterating commitment to sustain the fight against the scourge, Jatau urged development organisations to support capacity building and research towards producing HIV drug and vaccine in Nigeria.
“The dependency on foreign pharmaceuticals has made treatment unaffordable to many, and the future demands a more self-reliant approach,” he said.