The Centre for Integrated Health Programme has said that more than two million people benefited from HIV/AIDS screening, treatment and counselling services in Gombe State in the last 17 years.

The Chief Executive Officer of the centre, Dr Bolanle Oyeledun, said this during a courtesy visit to the state Deputy Governor, Manassah Jatau, on Monday in Gombe.

The CIHP is wading up its 17-year HIV/AIDS intervention designed to achieve epidemic control and improve the health status of the people in the state.

She said, “Today, as we transition our programme to new partners, we do so with immense pride in what we have achieved together. CIHP has been a cornerstone in the state’s fight against HIV/AIDS, testing over two million people and helping 26,000 individuals receive life-saving treatment. Thousands of lives have been saved, and the spread of HIV has been drastically reduced. Gombe is now one of the three states in Nigeria to have achieved epidemic control.’’

Ms Oyeledun said the programme also rehabilitated primary and secondary health facilities, trained healthcare workers, screened 13,000 pregnant mothers and 235 others received treatment.

She added, “More than a million pregnant women have been tested for HIV, and those who tested positive placed on treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission, ensuring healthier futures for countless children.’’

According to Ms Oyeledun, the success represents the resilience of the people, the unwavering support of stakeholders, and the dedication of every healthcare worker involved in the campaign.

She underscored the importance of sustainability to build on the progress made over the years towards enhancing healthcare delivery.

Responding, Mr Jatau lauded the programme, adding that, “health is the foundation of everything, without it, nothing else can be accomplished.

He said the intervention had assisted in reversing the tide of the HIV scourge by about 97 per cent in the state.

Reiterating commitment to sustain the fight against the scourge, Mr Jatau urged development organisations to support capacity building and research towards producing HIV drugs and vaccines in Nigeria.

“The dependency on foreign pharmaceuticals has made treatment unaffordable to many, and the future demands a more self-reliant approach,” he said.

Also, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru commended the Columbia University, Global Health Organisations and CIHP for HIV and health interventions aimed at strengthening the health system in the state.

He also emphasised the importance of sustainability and affirmed commitment to quality healthcare delivery in the state.

(NAN)