The Director General of Cross River State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (SACA) Dr Ansa Etcheri, has called on Stakeholders in the Health sector to improve on Data Management to enable the fight against HIV/AIDS spell success. The DG was speaking at a forum of the Local Government Coordinators (LACA) held in Calabar, the State Capital.
In her welcome remarks, the SACA Boss welcomed all Coordinators, noting that the forum is strategic in the discharge of the Agency's mandate. She said stakeholders should utilize all available measures including Community to Community awareness.
"I welcome you to this forum meeting today. The essence of this meeting is to stay abreast with the activities of this Agency. I commend you for the work you're doing but there is still a lot we need to do if we must continue to record success.
The DG who decried the low level of performance by LACA M&Es on poor Data Management, acknowledged that the fear of stigmatization has made people to hide their status and admonished the LACA Coordinators to always encourage the traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) about sensitization and promote testing to enable us mop the virus in the State. "Once in a while, enter the facilities and sit down. Don't just get Data, do a proper follow up with the health workers to ensure maximum results. Step up awareness by educating the masses, seek for audience in different gatherings like religious, commercial and traditional groups, to remind the people that one can still contact the virus even after being negative. Encourage the patient to eat healthy and religiously take their drugs, also educate the public about some significant symptoms that could alert them to go for a test."
In preparation for the World AIDS day, Dr Ansa Said the celebration will not be wearing t-shirt for rally, but a Sustained campaign and sensitization will be carried out. She promised that testing kits will always be made available, while also calling for prayers to enable her succeed as that's her out most desire and vision, saying that with enough kits, there would be tremendous achievement.
The outlined Objectives of the meeting were given to cover the following areas;
> Providing a platform for the review of the response efforts of SACA & LACA towards an effective and comprehensive coordination of HIV AIDS response in LGAs.
> Obtain feedback on the functionality of LGA Response Coordination.
> Receive reports on the progress towards attaining LGA assigned targets.
> Profer solutions to challenges being addressed in the LGA level HIV response.
> Obtain completed Data on details of HIV indicators in (Health and non-health) covering from June to August.
*REPORT PRESENTATION*
While presenting their reports, LACA Coordinators took turns to give figure by figure, Data of their activities. Some of the grey areas, the DG urged for collaborative effort between the Coordinators and the LACA Monitoring and Evaluation team (M&E) for accurate Data submission. Coordinators were also charged to understand indicators so as to ensure quality Data. The reports were pesented as each Local Government present submitted their Data.
Stakeholders in their reports, complained about the lack of material like test Kits, while also calling for human capital development, which the SACA DG promised that in no distant time, there will be training for Coordinators and M&E staff to enhance job performance.
The meeting featured report, interactive session in form of feedback and the drawing of plans for further engagement.
The forum also reached a consensus as take away from the meeting that a WhatsApp group be created at LGA levels, while LACA and M&E staff have been called upon to work together. Also, it was agreed on the need for a sustained relationship with the newly Inaugurated Chairmen of Councils, together with a consistent advocacy visit to TBAs on monthly basis especially for prayers once a month and using such opportunity to carry out testing.
High point of the meeting was drafting of next steps for further action by all present.
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