NAN-H-173
Approach
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Feb. 16, 2017 (NAN) FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, has urged
the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS) and FCT Action Committee on AIDS (FACA) to evolve practical measures that would uplift the conditions
of people living with HIV/AIDS.
The minister made the call when members of the Forum of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Nigeria, FCT chapter, visited him on Thursday in Abuja.
Bello, who asked HHSS and FACA to de-emphasise seminars and conferences about the condition, said officials should rather be practical in their approach in dealing with
such persons by fostering things that would have direct bearing on their lives.
According to him, relevant agencies should try to encourage an enabling environment to do things in such a way that less is spent on conferences, booklets, banners and T-shirts on HIV/AIDS.
“Now is not the time for us to be spending money on ceremonies. We should strengthen our institutions to be able to provide services and support to people living with the virus.”
He added that the health secretariat and FACA should step up proactive counselling in
FCT hospitals.
The minister said “I think it is something that you should try to encourage as much as possible, and then if there is any window of opportunity to be able to take them on as full time employees, please explore that.
“I know it is difficult; employment is a challenge but you always have one or two vacancies and you should keep on doing it continuously.
“At all locations, we should have these people that provide counselling. For everything in life, information is key. If you get the right information, half of your problem is solved.”
Bello also directed the HHSS to encourage people living with HIV/AIDS to participate in the empowerment programmes being undertaken by the Administration to enable them to enjoy full benefits.
He further directed the HHSS to pay for the three-year rent arrears the organisation, PLWHA owing to take the burden off them and improve the level of their networking.
The PLWHA Coordinator in FCT, Mr Peter Ikiti, said the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in Nigeria in 1986 and since then, the prevalence rate in the country was one of the highest in Africa, only next to South Africa.
He appealed to the minister to help settle the three-year rent for office accommodation the organisation owed in the FCT. (NAN)
KM/HA
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