NACA Takes HIV, Campaign, Care to Tarka LGA, Benue

By Gabriel Olawale
No fewer than 4000 people recently benefitted from counselling, testing and care services provided by the National Agency for the Conrol of HIV AIDS (NACA) in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State. The services which were sited at the two Primary Health Centres, PHCs, of Tarhembe and Aboho communities were part of the four days activities of NACA to mark the 2015 World AIDS Day (WAD).

One of the counselling points at the Tarhembe PHC, Benue State.

Services provided during the four days included HIV/AIDS counselling, testing and referral as well as diagnosis and treatment of Malaria, blood pressure checks, random blood glucose check and general medical consultations with provision of drugs to the sick. Declaring the event open, Vice Chairman, Tarka LGA, Tarka Shachia expressed gratitude to NACA for extending such benevolence to the communities in the Local Government Area.
Shachia urged residence in all the surrounding communities to the PHCs to avail themselves of the privilege to be counselled, tested and treated free of charge by the government agency saying, “it is indeed for our own good”.
Some of the dignitaries who flagged off the event included Assistant Director NACA, Lawrence Kwaghga, Dr Kator Iorpagher, Representing Ministry of Health, Representative, Benue State Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS (BENSACA), Mrs Nancy Ali Wine, Counsellor for works, Tarka LGA, Orkyusu Jiibee, as well as notable community leaders like Ahembe Mbasee, Aondowase Soroku, Iortser Adaka, Apere Ibor and Peter Mtsugh.
In his address at the occasion, Dr Kwagha explained why it has become expedient that everyone must know their HIV status, saying it is only with such knowledge that individuals can have the benefit of care and treatment if he or she is positive. He appealed to the people to ensure they give moral support to anyone that test positive to the disease saying, it is not a death sentence once such an individual is place of a lifelong treatment and keeps to the healthy advice that would be given by health officials.
Goodwill messages of hope and support were also delivered by some of the community leaders who pledged their support towards ensuring an AIDS free community through sensitizing their people on curbing harmful practices that aid the spread of the disease.