The Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the gains recorded under the CARE-2 Project, particularly interventions aimed at supporting people living with HIV/AIDS and strengthening HIV prevention and screening services across the State.
The commitment was made when the CARE-2 Project team paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Health, Sokoto State, Dr Faruk Umar Abubakar, in his office on Tuesday, as part of activities marking the closeout and transition of the CARE-2 Project in the State.
The Commissioner commended the CARE-2 Project team for its achievements and successful implementation of the project over the years.
He acknowledged the recommendations presented by the team and assured them that the State Government would take appropriate steps towards their implementation and sustainability.
Dr Faruk Umar Abubakar noted that the State Government values the contributions of development partners to the strengthening of the health sector, stressing the importance of building on the structures and interventions established through the project to ensure continuity beyond the project’s closeout.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sokoto State AIDS Control Agency (SOSACA), Dr Sada Ibrahim Durbawa, said with existence of the enabling law, measures would be taken to strengthen and enforce premarital HIV screening as part of efforts to promote early detection, prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the State.
Earlier in his presentation, the State Team Leader of the CARE-2 Project Dr Hamza Dahiru explained that, during the five-year implementation period, the project established structures and mechanisms aimed at ensuring sustainability of its interventions beyond the project lifespan.
He expressed appreciation to the Commissioner and the Sokoto State Government for their support and cooperation, which he said contributed significantly to the successful implementation of the project in the State.
The CARE-2 Project has contributed to supporting people living with HIV/AIDS, strengthening HIV-related services, and improving mechanisms for prevention, screening and linkage to appropriate care and support.
The meeting was attended by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sokoto State Malaria Elimination Agency (SOSMEA), Dr Ibrahim Namadina; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Ibrahim Haliru Dingyadi, mni; Executive Secretary, Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SSPHDA), Dr Bilyaminu Yari Sifawa; and Directors of the Ministry of Health, among other stakeholders.
