Ondo residents benefit from free health programme

Residents of Ondo State numbering over 10, 000 have benefited from a medical programme organised by the state government in conjunction with some federal and local agencies.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman, Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ODSACA), Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, said the government was bridging the gap identified in the HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support responses in Nigeria, in line with the President’s Comprehensive Response Plan (PCRP), to ensure about 5 million Nigerians know their status.
He disclosed that the programme was targeted at a minimum of 10,000 residents of the state through testing and counselling on blood pressure, sugar level, HIV testing and others. He likened it to a mobile hospital where free medical consultation, free medical tests and drugs are dispensed.
The SSG also maintained that the government would continue to prioritise health issues and demonstrate the political will and commitment to reducing infant health mortality through numerous health programmes, upgrading health facilities, and increased access to treatment, care, support services to people infected or affected by the virus.

Corroborating his view, the Project Manager of ODSACA, Dr. ‘Dayo Adegbulu, noted that the government would continue to support programmes that are of great benefit to the people of the state, stressing that people should take maximum benefit of the programme before it lapsed.
Earlier, the Prevention Focal Officer on HIV in Nigeria and leader of the NACA/SURE-P free medical outreach, Dr. (Mrs) Uduak Essen, stated that residents of Ondo State have benefitted from the third phase of the programme, which is to provide free medical consultation, prescription and pharmaceutical service to enable the people access needed care, while incentives are also provided for participants.
Similarly, the Programme Officer, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Mrs. Ngozi Elema, affirmed that the programme was a global support initiative for the implementation of activities of NACA in every state by providing treatment and support for people living with various ailments.