Following the recent 90-day suspension of funding support for Public Health Programmes, including the HIV/AIDS initiative by the United States of America, the Ogun State Government has assured that measures have been taken to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services for its citizens.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, stated this on Tuesday, revealing that both the Federal and State Governments were committed to ensuring that, the withdrawal of support from the organisation would not create a vacuum.
She noted that the Abiodun led administration remains resolute at guaranteeing continuous treatment, care and support for People Living with HIV in the State.
Coker disclosed that, the State Government had also implemented several measures to ensure HIV test kits remains readily available across hospitals, including State and Primary Healthcare Centers, assuring that all citizens would have access to free HIV testing.
She noted that, treatment facilities would remain open to support ongoing drug pick-up and the initiation of antiretroviral medications (ARVs) for newly diagnosed patients at all 43 ART sites throughout the State.
The Commissioner pointed out that, for HIV-exposed infants, access to the Early Infant Diagnosis test would continue at two designated m-PIMA (Point-of-Care Immune Marker Analysis) laboratories located at Oba Ademola Maternity Hospital and General Hospital, Owode, adding that the State had also assured that all eligible patients requiring viral load testing would receive necessary blood sample collection, with logistical support for sample transport.
The commissioner maintained that existing mentor mothers would be engaged alongside Government staff to facilitate the provision of HIV services during this critical time, saying the state Ministry of Health would oversee and coordinate ART sites to ensure a seamless range of care.
Her words, “The State government has set up mechanisms for feedback from healthcare workers in the field, allowing for weekly assessments of the situation and timely resolution of any challenges that may arise during the suspension period.
“At this crucial moment, we will implore all concerned citizens to remain calm and support the government on its efforts towards continuous service delivery to its people. We also implore our health care providers to support the government in the effort to integrate the treatment of HIV into our general health services,” she added.
Meanwhile, the commissioner reiterated the commitment of State Government towards prioritising public health and ensuring that no citizen was left behind in the fight against HIV/AIDS, despite the temporary challenges posed by the USAID funding suspension.