The Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Sani Aliyu has called on state governments to allocate one per cent of their monthly federal allocation to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Aliyu made the call on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Kwara State Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira in Ilorin.
The Director General said such allocation would take care of the gap that would be created by external donors that are leaving the country.
He explained that the idea had been suggested to the governors at a meeting held in Abuja under the auspices of Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The Director General commended the state government for its budgetary provision for the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KWASACA), calling for prompt release of such fund to enhance the job of the agency and deliver on its mandate.
He also pleaded for the release of the World Bank counterpart funding running to about N60m.
He said the state has low prevalence rate of the scourge when compared to other states, imploring the government to work towards further reduction.
The Director General praised the state for the introduction of the Community Health Insurance Scheme among others aimed at bringing health care delivery closer to the people.
Responding, the Deputy Governor said the government placed great emphasis on the control of AIDS in the state and showing concern for people living with the scourge.
Kisira stated that necessary machinery would be put in place to eliminate and achieve zero per in HIV/AIDS in the State.
The Deputy Governor described funding as a great challenge, appealing to NACA to give special consideration to the state in view of its peculiar financial status.
