USAID Donates 74,600 HIV/AIDS Test Kits to A’Ibom 

4 years ago
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USAID Donates 74,600 HIV/AIDS Rapid Test Kits To A'Ibom – Independent  Newspapers Nigeria
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has presented 74,600 HIV/AIDS rapid  test kits to the Akwa Ibom State Government.
The items were donated by Belemaoil to support USAID’S HIV/AIDS eradication efforts in Akwa Ibom,  the test kits were received by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem on behalf of the state.
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard who handed over the items to the state government in Uyo on Thursday  acknowledged the strides made by the Akwa Ibom State Government in the last two years to control the spread of HIV/AIDS.
She said  the contributions of Belemaoil to USAID shows the importance of the private sector in partnering to fight the disease, saying the collaboration of the state government and other agencies have greatly helped the course.
She added: “The test kits, with a testing capacity of 74,600, will support prevention of mother-to-child transmission services within antenatal clinics and provide critical HIV testing services to numerous young children and others who are at risk.
“Even with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Akwa Ibom, with USAID’S support, has made remarkable progress in its efforts to eradicate the epidemic.
“The number of people receiving lifesaving HIV treatment in the state has increased from 19 percent to 82 percent, with 35,000 people in 2019 to over 156,000 in 2021,”
Receiving the items on behalf of the state, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem said the state government was committed to the health of its citizens, and would  not allow people to treat HIV/AIDS with levity.
He assured  that the state government will continue to partner with USAID and its other implementation partners  and commended the use of the test kits to USAID agencies to prevent the spread of the scourge.
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