Akpabio provides HIV test kits in 300 centres

Testing centre

On Monday, the Akwa Ibom state Government announced that it has provided HIV/AIDS test kits for over 300 centers across the state to ensure early detection of the virus and its management.

Dr Ememabasi Bassey, Commissioner for Health who was represented by Mr Bassey Essang, during the commemoration of the 2013 World AIDS Day at Etim Ekpo Local Government Area said, “To ensure early detection of the virus, which is the starting point for the effective control of the epidemic, government, in collaboration with national and international partners, has provided kits for HIV testing in more than 300 places in Akwa Ibom.

“There are 30 treatment centres and over 300 places where pregnant women can receive services to prevent infected mothers from transmitting the virus to their babies; all these services are free of charge".

"Let me use this medium to remind us that HIV and AIDS is more than a health crisis, as it has impacted negatively on all spheres of development; therefore, it constitutes a serious threat to our future as a people.

"That is why government has accorded priority attention to the anti-HIV/AIDS campaigns,’’ he added.

Condoms and stickers conveying precautionary messages about the spread of HIV/AIDS were also distributed at the event.