By joshua 
… Laments 2% increase rate of HIV infection in Kogi State, Calls for improved Funding.
The Monthly Nutritional Support Program organised by Dual Care and HIV Prevention Initiative for the Month of July 2023 has been held and dedicated to the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr. Mrs. Folashade Ayoade Arike for her support to the July program.
Mrs Roseline Alabi, Executive Director, Dual Care and HIV Prevention Initiative made the disclosure at this month’s nutritional support program for affected persons, lamented the 2% increase rate in HIV in Kogi State.
Mrs. Alabi who also double as the Chairman, Kogi State Agency for Control of HIV and Aid, expressed concerns over the increase in HIV infection in the State said the time for all hands to be deck in stemming the tide is now.
Mrs. Alabi made a passionate appeal, called on Government at all levels to support with funds for awareness creation and to also support NGOs intervening in HTTC services.
While pointing out that HIV is real, she called for support for funding to enable children who are infected to eat well nourished food, described increase infection of children as a result of mother to child transmission.
She explained that efforts is on to meet with Faith based organizations and traditional birth attendants who do not have HIV testing kits to make referrals of pregnant mothers to the hospital for proper testing.
The Executive Director explained that with awareness creation, pregnant mothers visiting religious and traditional leaders for birth would cultivate the habit of testing to determine their status, disclosed of plans to meet with religious and traditional birth attendants on the need for them to refer mothers for HIV testing.
Mrs Alabi praised Billy Avoyi for making available an office for Dual Care, paid glowing tributes to several other persons who have been contributing to the monthly Nutritional Support Program.
In her remarks at the monthly program, Hon. Sandra Mimi Musa, Special Adviser to Dual Care and HIV Prevention Initiative expressed appreciation to caregivers working to provide support for the children, described feeding as very important for HIV patients.
Hon. Mimi described Dual Care and HIV Prevention Initiative as a rare NGO, praised Mrs Roseline Alabi for her passion to offer service to children affected by HIV.
Hon. Mimi urged those affected to make medication, hygiene, regular exercises and living in clean environment with prayers as panacea for staying healthy, praised Dual Care for the payment of school fees, providing clothing and medicine to children affected.
Hon. Mimi praised Mrs Alabi for the little she’s doing to put smiles on the faces of the children, urged other well meaning individuals to remember the children affected, thanked God for the support by caregivers working with Dual Care and HIV Initiative.
Other speakers at the Nutritional Support Program include, the Executive Director Concerned Women Forum, Bosede Micha, and Jamiu Mohammed who all lauded the efforts of Daul Care in providing monthly Nutritional Support to children affected.
Highlights of the July program was the official distribution of the monthly Nutritional Support to the targeted beneficiaries by Mrs. Bosede Micha.