US NGO decries increasing maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS

The United States of America President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has urged the Nigerian government to step up efforts at reducing maternal mortality and fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, saying they were contributing to the increasing level of children being orphaned in the society.

The Chief Executive Officer of Women and Children Development and Health Research Initiative (WCDHRI), Dr. Pius Adeojo, gave the suggestion in Aramoko Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, on Saturday, while interacting with some care-givers, at the programme, specifically organised for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, and being carried out in conjunction with WCDHRI.

Adeojo, who said the essence of the interaction was to compile the list of care-givers in preparation for a training and empowerment scheme to be sponsored by United States embassy, rued the deplorable state of the victims in Nigeria, saying a total of 48 care-givers from the town would be trained in any vocation of their choice, so that they would be able to overcome poverty and, in turn, help the vulnerable under their care.