Bayelsa Action Committee on AIDS advocates health insurance coverage for HIV/AIDS

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Action Committee on AIDS (BYSACA) has advocated a consolidated approach involving health insurance to care for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Dr Oluwatoyin Azebi, Permanent Secretary, BYSACA made the call on Thursday as part of ongoing weeklong activities to commemorate the 2021 World AIDS Day which commenced on Wednesday across the state.

She said the consolidated approach would bring all the stakeholders to HIV/AIDS care and make healthcare more accessible.

She recommended proactive steps such as integrating HIV treatment into the health insurance scheme both at the national and state levels.

She explained that this approach involving donors would put all hands-on deck to build a robust health system.

In his remarks, Mr Preye Ketebu-Brown, Vice President, World Assembly of Youth, urged the Bayelsa government to set up the BYSACA board to enable the state to have an effective governance structure to run its affairs.

He explained that the constitution of the board would position the state to align with other stakeholders to mobilize and access funds for sustainable financing of HIV.

Mr Ebiya Igudu, Chairperson Bayelsa chapter of Network of Persons Living With HIV/AIDS emphasized the need for the government to re-strategize to address the challenges HIV/AIDS programme in Bayelsa.

He noted that part of the challenges was inadequate funds adding that by providing the needed funding for providing HIV services Bayelsa will have access to donor funds that require counterpart funding.

He said that proper funding of BYSACA will enable the state to end stigmatization and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Several Civil Society Organisations and representatives of donors, implementing partners in their goodwill messages harped on the need for collaborative efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The theme for 2021 World AIDS Day is: “End Inequalities, End AIDS.”