As part of government efforts to eliminate new HIV infection by 2030, the Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS) in collaboration with Ekiti State Government has organized a one week training for the Staff of one-stop-shop, key Populations, and Prep Service providers in Ado Ekiti.
Declaring the training open, the General Manager of SACA, Dr.Charles Doherty explained that EKSACA has achieved several milestones in its fight against HIV/AIDS, including stabilizing the HIV prevalence rate from 1.4% in 2010 to 0.8% in 2019 (NAIIS 2019), increasing the number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving treatment from less than 3, 000 in 2018 to more than 8000 as at 2022.
The General Manager who said the training was necessary considering the relationship between the Key Populations, KPs, Stigma, and Gender Based Violence, GBV with HIV.
In her Goodwill message, the Associate Director of KP/HTS(key Population/ HIV Testing Services) of Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), Mrs. Grace Jimbo said her organisation is a leading indigenous, volunteer-based non – Profit Organization established in 2001 with the aim of improving access to qualitative Healthcare, Education, and Economic Strengthening for Nigeria’s most vulnerable population.
Mrs Jimbo who explained that ECEWS, with its headquarters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and its corporate office and 10 other branches in Abuja and across the country, has been providing community-based development services in the areas of education and health for more than 20 years in Nigeria, which is made possible through collaborations with National and International multi-lateral development agencies including the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDP) Global Fund, UNDTB, USAID/KNCV, UNICEF, Oando Foundation, UNPFA, to mention a few.
She stressed that the training was aimed at promoting inclusive healthcare for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other factor, and providing staff with the necessary tools to sensitively and effectively serve the diversed needs of all patients.
Participants were taught about Perp medication, and trained on other key Population services, such as mental health support, reproductive health services, and general healthcare needs.
The training was led by a team of experts in the field of key Population healthcare, who shared their knowledge and experience with attendees.
The participants who were drawn from the state Ministry of Health, Primary Health Care Development Agency, One Stop Shop staff, Key Population service providers, Police, Human Right Commission, and other related stakeholders, were engaged in interactive sessions and practical exercises that helped them to understand the concept of diversity in healthcare.
Participants at the event appreciated the ECEWS and Ekiti State government for organizing the training and pledged to make better use of the knowledge acquired during the training.
By Awogboro, Yinka.