By Nakanda Iyadim
The Director General of the Cross River State Agency for the Control of AIDS (CR-SACA), Dr. Charles Iwara, has issued a strong warning to adolescents and young people(AYPs) in the State regarding the rising incidence of new HIV infections, underscoring the importance of achieving zero new infections by 2030 as a key priority.
Dr. Iwara made this call when he declared opened a one-day capacity-strengthening workshop aimed at service providers, focusing on delivering adolescent and youth-friendly HIV and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services in Calabar.
The workshop, organized by CR-SACA in partnership with United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA), aimed to equip implementing partners with essential skills and knowledge to provide comprehensive, youth-friendly services.
Highlighting the urgent need for action, Dr. Iwara stated, “In order to enhance efforts in the more than 40-year fight against HIV/AIDS, we must implement a concentrated and sustainable training program for Adolescents and Young People (AYPs).”
He noted the concerning trend of increasing global infections, with reports showing that over 490,000 individuals in this demographic are affected.
“Despite recent funding cuts, our state remains committed to intensifying awareness campaigns to curb this alarming trend and strive toward the global goal of zero new infections by 2030,” he emphasized.
Dr. Iwara also explained that the training workshop aims to be a crucial turning point for implementing partners, encouraging them to develop sustainable strategies in combating HIV, especially given Cross River’s proximity to states with some of the highest infection rates in Nigeria.
“It is imperative that everyone contributes to this fight. I urge you to take this message of hope back to the younger population to help save Cross River State,” he added.
He expressed gratitude towards Governor Bassey Otu for his people-first governance approach. “Despite our resource limitations, he has supported initiatives aimed at reducing new infections and has allocated funds for remodeling our office facilities, creating a conducive environment for our activities. We are grateful to His Excellency and our Commissioner for Health, Dr. Egbe Ayuk, for their steadfast support.”
Dr. Iwara also acknowledged the ongoing commitment of development partners in supporting prevention efforts and urged all stakeholders to intensify their initiatives against new infections in Cross River.
“The Governor is deeply concerned about the welfare and well-being of our citizens. This is why the state recently signed a partnership with Carlos Pharmaceuticals to provide locally produced antiretrovirals (ARVs) and other essential medications for those living with HIV, as well as for malaria and tuberculosis,” he noted.
In his response on behalf of Civil Society Organizations and implementing partners, Mr Edmond Okah expressed their commitment to ensuring the successful execution of prevention activities within their operational scope.
Providing an overview of the workshop, the Programme Implementation Officer of SACA, Mrs. Rose Ikum, explained that the capacity-strengthening program covered critical topics such as adolescent health, HIV prevention, and SRHR, with an emphasis on creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment for young people.
She added that the training prioritized the importance of confidentiality, respect, and empathy in delivering healthcare services to adolescents, asserting that by enhancing the capacity of service providers, the workshop aimed to improve overall health outcomes and well-being for young people in the state.
Participants engaged in interactive sessions and discussions, sharing their experiences and best practices in providing youth-friendly services, fostering a collaborative and proactive approach to HIV prevention.
