Cross River to end HIV scourge by 2030

The Cross River Government on Tuesday said it was committed to ending the scourge of Humane Immune Virus (HIV) in the state by 2030.

Gov. Ben Ayade, who stated this during the celebration of the 2015 World AIDS day, decried the continued stigmatisation of people living with HIV in the state.

"This is unacceptable; I therefore urge all Cross River indigenes to join hands with all stakeholders and partners to ensure the eradication of the virus in 2030.

"We must all join the fight against stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS in Cross River.

"As a government, we are committed and we will do everything possible to end HIV and AIDS menace in this state by 2030," he said.

Ayade, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, said that his administration was doing everything possible to make healthcare available and accessible to the people.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong disclosed that HIV prevalence rate in the state had dropped from 7.1 per cent in 2011 to 6.1 per cent in 2015.

Asibonge added that the state had also progressed in its ranking on the HIV status index in the country. She advised pregnant women to always go for anti-natal to know their status and urged the people to avoid casual sexual intercourse or use condoms when necessary.

"The government has also provided free healthcare across the state, so I enjoin everybody to take advantage of this to live healthy lifestyle," she said.

Dr Henry Ayuk, a representative of USAID Resident Implementing Partners, called for the strengthening of the State Management Team to make it more efficient and effective.

Ayuk stressed the need for adequate funding to develop more primary healthcare centres across the state.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion was used to launch the 2015 Calabar carnival.