CMD Seeks Sustained Collaboration as Donor Funding Threatens HIV Treatment

Timescope News 

The Chief Medical Director of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Akwanga, Dr. Esala E. Abene, has continued to receive key stakeholders in the health sector as part of efforts to secure sustained collaboration.

The most recent visit was from the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN).

Dr. Abene described the withdrawal of funding by donor organizations supporting HIV treatment in Nigeria as a major threat. However, he expressed optimism that the government and stakeholders would find a way to sustain HIV treatment services.

Regarding IHVN’s ad hoc staff, he noted that necessary submissions had been made to higher authorities for consideration. According to him, the services and expertise of these ad hoc staff are crucial, and disengaging them would create a serious gap.

He appealed to IHVN staff, particularly during this transition period, acknowledging that office space may not be comfortable for discharging their duties until the new structure is completed.

Earlier, the State Manager of IHVN, Dr. Eze Oka, congratulated Dr. Abene on his appointment as CMD of DASH Akwanga. He also outlined the institute’s services and areas of potential partnership with the hospital to ensure effective service delivery.

Dr. Oka explained that the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria has been operating in Nasarawa State for the past 20 years, implementing funded HIV/TB programs.

He added that the institute works across 126 facilities in the state, alongside other partners, covering three local government areas: Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga, and Wamba.

The State Manager noted that while the institute’s ad hoc staff were scheduled to be disengaged by the end of March, stakeholders had reached a conclusion to extend their stay until June, with a letter of extension to be issued.