By Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Delta State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, SACA, has assured Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, CiSHAN, of the necessary support in the control and eradication of HIV/AIDS.
This position was made by the Executive Secretary and Director of Administration and Finance, Mr Solomon Aduraosi during an advocacy/courtesy visit by CiSHAN.
“When you have planned activities, let us know so that we can buy-in and help out with tools and accessories for testing of HIV. At the end of the day, what matters is a HIV/AIDS free Delta for everyone.”
Encouraging the organisation, Aduraosi stated that there should be regular correspondence from CiSHAN to enable the agency know of their activities and explore avenues for support in line with one of its visions which is to harmonise the efforts of interest groups towards result- oriented response to the pandemic.
In response to the stated challenges, Mr Aduraosi suggested activities that could be executed with minimal funds like sensitisation of secondary school children on Valentine’s Day.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of CiSHAN, Mrs Erisjewo Ibi, said “we are here to introduce Delta State CISHAN leadership and to inform SACA of our activities such as community sensitisation, HIV screening/testing and names of members/lists of organisations under CiSHAN in the State. Many of these members are involved in interventions in communities and research work, community awareness and prevention.”
Stating some of the challenges facing CISHAN, Mrs Ibi said some members have not been fully participating in community activities due to lack of funds, stating that most of their activities were sponsored from internally generated resources.
Highlight of the occasion was the submission of a document containing the names of members of the organisation and a report of some of the community activities/services rendered by CiSHAN in the state.
Those presents at the occasion were Mrs. Grace Sifo, Director of the Department of Partnership and Policy Coordination in DELSACA; Mr John Ogbeide, secretary – CiSHAN; Mr. Francis Emordi, Assistant Secretary, CiSHAN, amongst others.
The Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria is a network of Non-Governmental Organisations, Faith Based Organisations, Community Based Organisations and advocates working on HIV/AIDS intervention in Nigeria.
