The Chief Executive Officer of the institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) Dr Patrick Dakum has reiterated the Agency’s commitment in addressing HIV/AIDS pandemic, providing quality health care prevention, care and treatment services, capacity building, research as well as strengthening the country’s capacity for the sustainability of health programs.
The IHVN boss stated this yesterday in Abuja while delivering his goodwill message at 2024 Annual Health Conference organized for members of the Association of Health Journalists(ANHeJ.
Dr. Dakum who was represented at the ocassion by Dr. Adekola Adekunle added that the Institute has provided HIV testing to more than 18 million people, given prevention of mother-to-child transmission services to close to 140,000 women and enrolled more than 680,000 individuals on life-saving antiretroviral treatment since its establishment.
“we have implemented Global Fund programs to address multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and are currently collaborating with the government and other partners to integrate a country-wide tuberculosis and HIV services.”
He further assumed that already with the funds provided by the USAID, the Agency has rapidly scaled up tuberculosis services in Lagos, Osun, Oyo and Osun States. “All these contribute to the country’s goals of addressing these diseases.”
He however commended ANHeJ for their invaluable role in informing and educating the public about utilizing available free health services in hospitals and communities adding that this has helped in holding the government accountable to its people, and encouraging better domestic funding for health programs and research.
On the Agency preparedness in local production of vaccines, he noted “I can assure you all that all relevant stakeholders are collaborating towards achieving this goal and at appropriate time, all relevant informations towards it will be made know to everyone”.
END