Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has said that too much talking, seminars, conferences and other ceremonies have no impact on the welfare of the people living with HIV/AIDS in the country.
He therefore asked officials of the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, particularly the FCT Action Committee on AIDS (FACA) to put less emphasis on seminars and conferences and do things that would really uplift the standards the patients.
The Minister spoke today, Thursday when he received in audience members of the Forum of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, FCT Chapter in his office.
The minister insisted that the officials should be practical in their approach to dealing with such persons, by fostering things that would have direct bearing on their lives.
He asked the relevant Agencies to try and create an enabling environment for the patients to get much from life and spend less on conferences, booklets, banners and T-shirts.
“Now is not the time for us to be spending money on ceremonies. But we will strengthen our institutions to be able to provide services and support to enable you have direct positive impact on your lives.”
Muhammad Bello ordered the Health Secretariat and FACA to step up proactive counseling in FCT Hospitals for the patients in areas where that are practically useful for them.
“If there is any window of opportunity to be able to take them on as full time employees, please explore that.
“I know it is difficult; employment is a challenge but you always have one or two vacancies and you should keep on doing it continuously. At all locations, we should have these people that provide counseling. “For everything in life, information is key. If you get the right information, half of your problem is solved.”
The Minister also directed the FCT Social Development Secretariat to, as a matter of policy, encourage people living with HIV/AIDS to participate in the empowerment programmes being undertaken by the FCT Administration to enable them enjoy full benefits.
He also directed the Health and Human Services Secretariat to pay for the three year rent arrears the organization, People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, is owing to take the burden off them and improve the level of their networking.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Comrade Peter Ogbonaya Ikiti, said that the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in Nigeria in 1986 and that since then, prevalence cases in Nigeria is one of the highest in Africa, only next to South Africa.
He appealed to the minister to help settle the three-year rent for office accommodation the organization owed in the FCT. [myad]
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