Director of resource mobilization at the National Agency for Control of AIDS, Mrs Justina Kalu, has said Abia State needs to prioritise the campaign against HIV/AIDS to reduce its spread in the state.
Mrs Kalu stated this when she led a team from the agency on a courtesy visit to the newly appointed secretary to the state government, Kenneth Kalu in Umuahia.
She said the agency was uncomfortable with the 2.1 percent prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS infection recorded in the state during the 2018 national survey which is higher than the national 1.3.
The director enumerated areas the state should pay more attention in the campaign to include management of services, strategic engagement and communication among others.
Congratulating the secretary on the appointment, she added that she was hopeful that with his wealth of experience the state would soon record general landmark achievements.
Responding, Kalu expressed appreciation to the team for the visit and assured the agency of robust partnership with the administration for coordinated and sustained advocacy for HIV/AIDS expanded response in the state.
He said the administration is people-oriented and would focus more attention on intervention policies, projects and programmes to alleviate their socio-economic challenges occasioned by bad governance.
The secretary, who called for sincere efforts and commitment from stakeholders in the ongoing rebuilding of the state, added that it would go a long way to actualise the dreams of its founding fathers.
