By Nakanda Iyadim
UGEP (CONVERSEER) – The Director General of the Cross River State Agency for the Control of AIDS (CR-SACA), Dr Charles Iwara, has assured individuals living with HIV/AIDS that the state government has implemented sufficient plans to address their daily healthcare needs.
Dr Iwara diaclosed to newsmen at the Agency’s service stand during the 2025 Leboku International New Yam Festival held on Friday at the Yakurr Peace Stadium in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area.
He further disclosed that a total of 5,184 male condoms and 500 female condoms were distributed free of charge to attendees during the sensitisation and awareness campaign at the event.
According to the Director General, “The State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has gone beyond enrolling the affected individuals in the State Health Insurance Scheme. He is also finalising arrangements to partner with an indigenous pharmaceutical firm to produce ARV drugs locally.”
Dr Iwara continued, “After funding cuts from our major donor partners, especially USAID, many living with HIV feared for their lives. However, I want to assure them that the people-first Governor, His Excellency, Senator Bassey Otu, is committed to ensuring that they receive adequate care and unhindered access to their treatment.”
Regarding the strong response from attendees at the HIV testing and counselling sessions, Dr Iwara expressed his excitement, noting that it demonstrates the people’s readiness to embrace social behaviour change, practice safe sex, and utilise available preventive methods.
“We will not relent in our awareness campaigns at every little opportunity, as they enable us to disseminate crucial information about HIV and build our data for new detections and treatment,” he added.
Also speaking, Programme Prevention Officer SACA, Ms Rose Ekum emphasised that, as an agency focused on preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, they are dedicated to raising awareness about the consistent and correct use of both male and female condoms to reduce the prevalence of HIV, unintended pregnancies, and other STIs.
“I must say I’m overwhelmed by the response from festival attendees. We have exhausted our testing kits and distributed all 5,184 male condoms and 500 female condoms we brought to this event. We are pleased, as this will significantly help reduce the rates of transmission of HIV and STIs in Ugep and its environs,” she stated.
The medical team, comprising SACA and LACA personnel, reported a high number of people screened for HIV, hepatitis, and X-rays, and they look forward to more opportunities like this to raise awareness in the state.
Community engagement was a crucial aspect of the CR-SACA campaign, with many attendees expressing gratitude for the medical screening services.
Some shared their personal experiences and underscored the importance of regular health checks, particularly regarding the ongoing stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.
This openness among festival-goers fostered a supportive atmosphere, encouraging others to seek testing and counselling to help prevent the further spread of the disease, which currently has a prevalence rate of 1.8 per cent in Cross River.
The festival’s popularity not only showcased the cultural richness of the Cross River region but also highlighted the critical role health initiatives play in community gatherings. Events like the Leboku festival offer unique opportunities to integrate health messages into cultural celebrations, making vital information more accessible to the public.
