… Hosts Health Ministry delegate on HIV/AIDS advocacy visit
By Jude Onyenedogha
Imo State Deputy Governor, Lady Dr Chinyere Ekomaru has said that health is very essential to the state government, as the government will not be comfortable to govern unhealthy populace.
The deputy governor made this assertion in his address to a delegation from the Ministry of Health and partners who paid her courtesy visit in her office at the Government House, Owerri, yesterday.
She asserted that the state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has put in a lot of effort in the health sector, to ensure a healthy society, while promising that the government will continue to do whatever it takes to improve the health sector.
Lady Ekomaru appreciated the Commissioner for her giant strides in the Ministry of Health, which has improved the health index of the state within her shot stay as the Health Commissioner, describing her as a round peg in a round hole.
She described the awareness campaigns about HIV/AIDS, constantly embarked on by the Ministry and its partners as massive, encouraging them to keep it up, while further urging them to carry it to schools, churches, event centers, hotels and even brothels, to be able to reach more target audience.
The Imo’s number two citizens also further encouraged the officials of the Ministry and its partners to keep maintaining high ethical standards and also be careful while taking care of patients, so as not to get contaminated.
Earlier in her address, the Imo State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Mrs Chioma Egu said the courtesy visit was part of the activities commemorating the 2025 World Aids day, which she said serves as an opportunity to reflect on the successes recorded so far in combating the menace of HIV/AIDS, as well as the challenges.
She said partners such as Catholic Claritas Foundation, World Health Organization, Ike Odoeme Foundation, among others have been doing a lot in helping the Ministry in the fight against HIV/AIDS, through awareness campaigns, advocacy actions, free testing, donation of drugs, kits, among others.
She disclosed that more than 52,000 patients were receiving anti retroviral drugs through the effort of the state government and the partners.
The Health Commissioner further disclosed that the team’s effort is also focused on stopping stigmatization and debunking some wrong impressions about HIV/AIDS, through health education, awareness campaigns.
While soliciting for further assistance of the state government, through the deputy governor, Egu enumerated activities featuring during the World AIDS Day to include; Road show, free testing centres at the market, ALVAN Ikoku Federal University of Education and other centers, including at the rural areas.
Principal officers who accompanied the deputy governor to welcome the delegation included; the Principal Secretary, John Njoku, Director of Information, Pastor Chris Akushie, Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Uzopuo Charles, Director of Administration and Finance Dr. Linda Ogbu, Director of Accounts, Lady Kate Okorie, among others.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of the event’s T-shirt, cap and other gifts to the deputy governor by the Health Commissioner
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