By Mu’azu Osekalago & Anthony Adgidzi

Disturbed by the menace of HIV/AIDS and its attendant consequences, Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma of Nasarawa State has stressed the need for collective efforts to combat the disease.

Governor Doma made the call during the formal launching of the North Central zone chapter of the National Women Coalition on HIV/AIDS (NAWOCA), last week in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.

He said HIV/AIDS was one of the greatest challenges facing the health care delivery system in Nigeria, describing it as a threat to both the present and future generations.

"We must therefore, collectively show concern for both the infected and the affected members of our society", he stressed.

He listed the provision of free anti-retroviral treatment for those infected by the disease, establishment of confidential counseling and testing centres and regular support to non-governmental organizations engaged in HIV/AIDS activities as part of efforts by the Nasarawa State Government to combat the disease.

He said the government has developed a health care delivery system with emphasis on preventive health care, adding that special attention was being paid to care for people living with HIV/AIDS.

"Our health care delivery system pays due attention to the challenges of people living with HIV/AIDS in the state", he emphasized.

The governor stated that government, in partnership with the office of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) upgraded 58 primary health care clinics to modern multi-purpose health care centres in different locations across the state to cater for the health needs of the people.

Governor Doma commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Hajiya Turai Yar’adau, who was also the initiator of NAWOCA, for her determination in championing the cause of women and girls who were suffering from discrimination and neglect as a result of HIV/AIDS status.

He said the first lady’s effort has reinforced the state government’s determination to improve its own health care delivery system.

Speaking at the occasion, Nigeria’s First Lady, Hajiya Turai Yar’adua, said NAWOCA was meant to improve advocacies, information, education and public enlightenment for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

"NAWOCA is therefore, my modest way of tackling the dreaded disease which threatens humanity today," she stated.

The first lady who launched the zonal chapter of NAWOCA called on wives of governors and local government chairmen to put in place "a comprehensive coordinated response against the pandemic"

She expressed her optimism that with collective commitment by individuals, governments humanitarian organizations and agencies, the fight against HIV/AIDS would be a success.

Earlier, wife of the governor of Nasarawa State, Hajiya Raliya Doma, assured the first lady that women of the North Central zone would support the NAWOCA initiative by putting in place enduring structures for the attainment of its objectives.

Different speakers at the occasion applauded the initiative of Hajiya Turai Yar’adua for starting NAWOCA, which according to them, "is another arsenal in the fight against HIV/AIDS."

The first lady, in company of wife of the President of Niger Republic, Madame Laraba Mamadou Tandja, commissioned the Taimako Screening Centre for breast and cervix cancer and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) assisted model comprehensive health centre in Shabu, Lafia Local Government Area.

A pet project of Hajiya Raliya Doma, the Taimako screening centre for breast and cervix cancer was part of the initiatives aimed at addressing issues of diseases peculiar to women and girls.

The north central zonal launching of NAWOCA had in attendance, wives of governors of the six north central states and wife of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister of state.

In her remark, the wife of the minister of state, FCT, Abuja, Mrs. Justine Akpamudoedehe, noted that some of the factors responsible for the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS among women in the zone were harmful cultural practices, stigma and discrimination, among others.

Mrs. Akpamdoedehe said in order to actualize the vision of Hajiya Turai Yar’adua, all hands must be on deck to fight the pandemic.

She said the launching of NAWOCA has demonstrated the commitment and passion which Hajiya Turai Yar’adua has in improving the health of women in the region.

She pledged to carry on the fight against the HIV/AIDS scourge to every nook and cranny in the zone.