DELTA Government on Monday presented computers, generating sets and other office equipment to 10 HIV comprehensive centres and service delivery points in the state.

Mr Festus Agas, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chairman, Delta State Agency for the Control of Aids (Delta SACA), presented the equipment to the centres at the Delta SACA office in Asaba.

Agas, represented by Mr John Morka, Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office, said the equipment was aimed at upgrading the centres, strengthening their monitoring and evaluation units and the local action committee on Aids for effective data management.

According to the SSG, the state has put modalities in place to provide such equipment to the remaining HIV comprehensive centres in the state.

“As you are all aware, harvesting and managing data remains a major challenge in the response to the HIV/AIDS at all levels.

“The desk top computers being donated to the centres today will go a long way in the management of data for effective HIV/AIDS Programme.

“I want to reiterate the full commitment of the present administration in the state to ensuring a zero-HIV/AIDS prevalence and incidence in the state.

“This administration will not only provide the enabling environment but also partner relevant organisations for effective result-oriented state response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.’’

Agas thanked Caritas Nigeria, a partner, for donating generating sets to the Central Hospital, Ughelli, and General Hospitals Errhoike, Obiaruku and Agbarho.

He urged other partners to emulate the gesture to further enhance quality service delivery.

He tasked all stakeholders to double their efforts and charged the centres to put the facilities to the best use, to ensure optimal results.

Also, Dr John Osuyali, Executive Secretary, Delta SACA, said the equipment donated were part of the state government’s contributions aimed at strengthening the agency’s structures in the state.

“Our governor believes in results; he is a data person and he values data.

“As you can see, we have the computers, generating sets, office tables, chairs among others, there for the monitoring and evaluation units in our hospitals.

“The partners’ funding stopped last year but with the coming of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, he has also approved that he will be filling the funding gap for the agency.

“This is the second round of equipment distribution to our hospitals in the state; we have given out 10 before now and he has approved another 20 for distribution for our treatment centres.’’

He, however, charged the recipient hospitals to deploy the equipment to the relevant units and protect them from abuse.

Osuyali appealed to all stakeholders and the general public to brace up with the challenges of funding and take ownership of the project, particularly now that most donor organisations were withdrawing their support.

Dr Kingsley Ovih, ART Coordinator, Central Hospital, Agbor, on behalf of the beneficiary hospitals, thanked the state government and SACA for the gesture while giving an assurance that the equipment would be deployed to effective use.

Also, Mrs Norah Otuechere, Programme Manager, Caritas Nigeria (Partner), pledged continued commitment to ensure HIV/AIDS zero prevalence in Delta.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the benefiting hospitals include the Central Hospitals in Warri, Sapele, Agbor and Ughelli as well as the General Hospitals at Oghara, Agbarho, Ekpan, Okwe, Obiaruku and Otujeremi. (NAN)

– Feb. 11, 2019 @ 17:15 GMT |