Health workers in Abia state have raised alarm over the increase in cases of HIV/AIDS in the state, blaming it on the anti-aid policy of President Donald Trump of the United States of America who recently slashed funding for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) which has been subsidising drugs for HIV/AIDS patients all over the world.

 

 

 

The stakeholders made the observation during a workshop for health leaders and managers in the state.

 

 

 

They expressed worry the the pandemic which had hitherto been put under check, could again, go out of control as most of the patients cannot afford their treatment. According to them, if no urgent and local interventions were initiated, the scourge could pose serious health threat to the state.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

” HIV/AIDS is now on the increase. Most of the patients are out of their drugs because of the Trump’s policy which affected supplies by our donor agency – USAID. You know that once a HIV/AIDS patient is on drug, the vital load will be surpressed.

 

So, we need to re-strategise and come up with action plan before it gets out of control. There is also need for increased sensitisation and awareness about this. Trump’s wave has swept the USAID off. So, we need to fill up the gap.” the stakeholders said

 

 

 

The stakeholders also stressed the need for healthcare products by donor agencies to be delivered on time so they could be administered before their expiry date.

 

 

 

They noted with concern that one of such products which would be expiring by September was only made available “in this July” .

 

 

 

” How can you be giving us products that will expire by September in July?” One of them queried” one of them said