Ekiti Partners NACA To Tackle HIV, TB, Gender Rights In A GC7 Scale-Up Meeting
The Ekiti State Government, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has hosted the GC7 Quarter 3 Sustain and Scale-Up meeting on HIV, TB, and Gender Human Rights at the Kolkotel Hotel in Ado-Ekiti.
This crucial event, part of the global fund’s 7th replenishment cycle (GC7), is aimed at boosting efforts to combat HIV, tuberculosis, and related human rights challenges within the state.
In his welcome speech, Dr. Dairo Ojo, Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State AIDS Control Agency (EkSACA), expressed excitement about the meeting’s potential to strengthen the fight against these pressing health issues. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to achieve sustainable progress.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Mrs. Sola Gbenga-Igotun, delivered opening remarks focusing on the need to eliminate the stigma around HIV. She urged religious leaders to show compassion toward those affected and stressed that HIV should not be viewed solely as a sexually transmitted disease. Gbenga-Igotun also highlighted the critical role of parents in preventing risky behaviors, such as drug use and unsafe sexual practices, including men having sex with men (MSM) and transgender individuals.
During the event, Mrs. Gbenga-Igotun inaugurated the State Response Team, composed of EkSACA stakeholders, urging them to be proactive. Mr. Orojo Adebayo, Program Manager for the Ekiti State Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Control Program, stressed the need for a coordinated effort to integrate HIV, TB, and gender rights interventions.
Representing the wife of the governor, lawyer Shirley Atani called on the team to work towards achieving the 95-95-95 global HIV targets by 2030 through a united and focused approach.
The meeting ended with a collective commitment from stakeholders to scale up efforts in fighting HIV, TB, and gender human rights issues, working towards a healthier and more inclusive Ekiti State.
