….We will ensure eradication of HIV in Imo – ED, Assoc. Prof. Isiozor
By Stanley Okehie
A Non-Governmental Organization, Rosita Unique Care Foundation (RUCF) has launched Accelerated Control of HIV Epidemic and Sustainable Solution (ACCESS) Project.
ACCESS is a five-year project funded by Centre for Disease Control through Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria.
Rosita Unique Care Foundation is implementing the project in 10 local government areas in Imo State, including the six Council Areas of Okigwe zone and Ikeduru, Mbaitoli, Ideato South and Nwangele LGAs.
Speaking at the unveiling which held at Isiala Mbano Council Headquarters, weekend, the Executive Director, Rosita Unique Care Foundation, Associate Prof. Ngozi Isiozor said the aim of the project is to ensure the eradication of HIV in Imo communities, particularly among children.
She assured of a society where people are stable, schooled, healthy and safe, noting that it was in line with the vision of the project funders.
Prof Isiozor listed regular Home Visits, Kids Club, FMP, village savings and loans associations. Caregivers’ Forum, Child Protection Committee, Skill acquisition as some of the approaches the organization would deploy towards achieving the goal of the project.
She also informed that the organization would through homes visits and in facilities, identify reactive patients through testing, and referrals, linked care and other services to live a healthy life.
She however, reiterated her organization’s mission of a society free from diseases and social vices where vulnerable children are supported and women empowered economically.
The Programme Manager, Caritas Nigeria, Oluwadare Owoyemi, said the focus of the project is to identify children who are HIV positive early enough, place them on treatment and achieve desired treatment outcome.
Whilst acknowledging other deadly diseases like Malaria that kills children between the ages 1 – 5, the Program Manager informed that HIV epidemic is controllable if detected on time.
He also harped on the need to sustain the project by harnessing resources within communities.
The traditional ruler of Umunachi Autonomous Community, Obowo Council Area, HRH Eze Ubadire Barnabas Opara, who chaired the occasion, commended the organization on their efforts towards helping humanity and alleviating poverty in the society.
He assured of his support and promised to use his contacts to further support their good works.
Rev. Fr. Christian Obioha, Chaplain College of Nursing Sciences, Mbano Joint Hospital said all hands must be on deck to ensure HIV is eradicated in Imo communities and globally.
Earlier, the Programme Manager of Rosita Unique Care Foundation, Mr Anyanwu, Odinaka Gideon noted that the organization had provided intervention in so many areas including food and nutrition, health, psychological support, shelter and care, protection, education and skills development and household economic strengthening.
According to him, Rosita Foundation had enrolled over 75 children into school and as well provided school materials for them.
“Conducted birth registration of 2,648 children under 18 years who have no birth certificate, and also provided vocational education training and start up kits for 23 adolescents in 2021 and 21 in 2022.
“In other to facilitate household’s financial management and planning, RUCF provided direct support to boost income generating activity of over 160 caregivers”, he said.
Mr. Anyanwu, however assured that the organization would continue to empower vulnerable children, youths and women through information and economic strengthening in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and donor agencies.
Queen Brown, Belema Woseley, Victor Alibi were among the Caritas team at the programme launch.
The event was well attended by Social Welfare Officers from the 10 project LGAs.