The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has taken its aggressive enlightenment campaign on HIV/AIDS and other prevalent diseases under its “Free Multi-disease Outreach” to Anambra State. The campaign is aimed at curbing the spread of AIDS which has been on the increase recently.
Speaking at the launch of the outreach programme in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State, Professor John Idoko, the Director-General of NACA, who was represented by Mr. Moses Rock, attributed the recent rise in the spread of AIDS to lack of priority.
Mbamalu Okeke, Igwe of Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area, praised the Federal Government for providing medicare at people’s doorsteps, promising that the traditional institution will do its best by educating and mobilising the people to access the free services. The outreach is expected to inject a new lease of life in the health sector.
Commenting, a facilitator of the programme, Mr. Cosmos Nnabude, said the outreach became imperative in order to bridge the gap between low income earners and provide affordable access to medicare. He pleaded with rural dwellers to make optimum use of the programme which focuses on general health issues.
Highpoints of the event were free testing for HIV/AIDS, blood pressure, blood glucose, BM assessment, de-worming, free distribution of drugs and insecticide-treated nets, among others.
By Dike Onwuamaeze