KSACA promises sustainance of HIV patients progress in Kano
The Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA) has promised to continue providing support to public and private hospitals that engaged in HIV/AIDS program with a view to sustaining the clients progress in the state.
This was made known by the director general of the agency, Dr Bashir Usman, on Wednesday when receiving delegation from Al-Noury Specialist Hospital HIV/AIDS Relief Project whom where there to complain on shortage of manpower due to fund reduction.
Dr Usman noted that KSACA is responsible for HIV/AIDS support and service to any organization, explaining that the agency is not saddled to shoulder staff allowances and other incentives.
The director general said tha “since you (Al Noury) lodged complaint, the agency will not fold her arms to let you down, assuring that “we will find the way that these services are sustained and also the manpower needs are addressed.”
He reassured that the matter would be taken to the state government through appropriate channel for a long term solution.
However, for the mean time, KSACA would look for a donor partner that can assist the hospital in one way or the other.
He stated that the agency would supply the hospital with HIV testing kits and other consumables free of charge.
Earlier, All Noury HIV/AIDS Programme Manager, Bilkisu Abdussalam told Dr Usman that their facility has more than 3000 HIV patients since when the programme started in 2005, adding that 1263 are presently receiving ART drugs on regular basis.
She complained that due to fund reduction from donor agencies, the hospital could no longer take care of its staff, lamenting that the hospital previously had about 60 staff but only 11 are presently available and with the expected withdrawal for the current partner by October this year the future of the clients in Al Noury is doomed.
She appealed to KSACA to initiate possible ways that would enable the hospital to sustain payment of allowances, also that antenatal and delivery were free in the past but due to lack of funds pregnant mothers are now made to pay before getting medical assistance.
