NGO pledges support for Cross River HIV/AIDS media advocacy team
Mr Donald Akpenna, the State Team Leader of Rise Project Nigeria a (Non Governmental Organization) says the organization was in support of the setting up of HIV Media Advocacy Team in Cross River.
He said this in a goodwill message during the inauguration of the team by the Deputy Director South South of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Uduak Daniels.
He said that, they were proud to be associated with the State Action Commuter on AIDS (SACA) and would work with the Media Advocacy team to achieve greater results in the fight against the spread of the virus in the State.
” I bring you greetings from RISE Project Nigeria.
“We are proud to be associated with Cross River state HIV Response and in particular, the HIV Media Advocacy Team.
“We wish to use this medium to express our sentiments of gratitude to the Cross River State Government for supporting our implementation of comprehensive HIV care and treatment services in the state, ” he said.
According to him, HIV Media and Advocacy platform was one of such that “strengthens the struggle towards HIV Epidemic Control which is our mandate and we felicitate with Cross River state for this beautiful initiative.”
Speaking, the Director General of CR-SACA, Dr Etcheri Ansa said the inauguration of media advocacy team would aid in the support of creating more awareness.
“Also in educating the public about the reason to fight stigmatisation , encourage the masses to know their status, infected person encourage to take drugs to reduce the viral load and also help in reduction of mother to child transmission, ” she said.
Ih her remarks, Dr Uduak Daniels Deputy Director South South of NACA said the setting up of the HIV & AIDS media advocacy platform was a move towards consolidating on the value of institutional partnerships and collaboration with the mass media.
According to her, this was to ensure that the media becomes significantly involved in the forefront of HIV/AIDS education, social mobilization, and advocacy.
“To bring about sustainable behaviour and social change in the South- South zone, ” she said.
Rise Project Nigeria is an implementing partner with the State Action Committee in AIDS.
