8,000 negative babies have been delivered safely in the state by women living with HIV while more than 180,000 people are now accessing life-saving anti- retroviral treatment across 264 health facilities
United States Center for Disease Control, U.S-CDC and prevention representative in Nigeria, Suzanne Theroux has explained that the state-of-art Molecular Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR laboratory established at the Federal Medical Center, FMC Makurdi, with expertise of personnel, the facility would increase the number of patients through sample processes.
Speaking during commissioning and presentation of certificate of accreditation to FMC Makurdi PCR laboratory built at the hospital by U.S- CDC through collaborative efforts of APIN Public Health Initiative, Theroux said the initiative to build a state- of-the-art facility with modern equipment and infrastructure are the organizations modest contribution to improving quality of life, adding that the partnership would equally boost capacity through training of personnel for the benefit of society.
In a remark Chief Executive Officer, CEO of APIN Public Health Initiative a leading NGO dedicated to the prevention, treatment and management of HIV/AIDS , Tuberculosis and Malaria in Nigeria said commissioning of a cutting- edge Molecular Polymerase Chain, PCR laboratory at the Federal Medical Center, FMC Makurdi, would provide comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care services to all population groups as well as to support accurate laboratory investigations including viral load assessment and early infant diagnosis, EID.
He acknowledged U.S – CDC contributions in collaboration with APIN towards the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS, describing what he called generous and continuous support the international organization has rendered in the past, including the laboratory and other interventions as commendable, revealing further that over 200,000 patients through APIN have benefitted from HIV treatment.
Governor Alia while receiving the PCR accreditation certificate recalled that Benue which used to have the second highest prevalence of HIV between 2018 in the country with the help of APIN Public Health Initiative and support from the US- CDC, HIV has reduced significantly.
He said during the period under review, about 8,000 negative babies have been delivered safely in the state by women living with HIV while more than 180,000 people are now accessing life-saving anti- retroviral treatment across 264 health facilities, and patients with other chronic diseases receiving various treatment.
While commending efforts of U.S- CDC for establishing molecular laboratory in Benue State, the governor restated commitment of his administration to partner with other US agencies and leadership of Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, appealing that a world class infectious disease center be established in the state to take care of diseases like Lassa Fever and other infectious diseases.