Manpower Shortage Stalls WHO HIV/AIDS Programme
Lack of adequate manpower has continued to stall the implementation of WHO’s ‘test and treat’ care for HIV victims nationwide. The programme, which was scheduled to commence since last year, according to the team leader of Taraba State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU) for HIV, Dr. Musa Obadiah, was initiated to ensure every victim of the dreaded disease had unfettered access to treatment and care.
Addressing journalists in Jalingo recently, Obadiah said the SPIU has been doing its best to take care of HIV victims but lack of manpower has been a major hindrance to the implementation of WHO’s recommendation to treat every victim that have been tested positive.
According to him, “we have been trying our best in terms of care for HIV victims but we are yet to comply with the WHO recommendation of test and treat for victims because of manpower issue,” adding that, “the wide disparity in the remuneration of doctors working with the federal and state governments have led to mass exodus from state to federal health institutions anytime the opportunity arise.
“There are not enough doctors that could do clinical clearance and administer treatment on victims both at federal and state levels. The case is even worse at the state level because of the remuneration gap between state and federal governments in the health sector.”
Obadiah however revealed that the recent withdrawal of support by some donor agencies for the treatment of HIV victims has not created any vacuum in the treatment and care for the victims.
He stressed that before the withdrawal, government had planned adequately in anticipation, based on the agreements reached in the memorandum of understanding signed with the donor agencies.
“The withdrawal of the donor agencies have not created any vacuum. Grants are still coming to the National Action Committee on Aids (NACA) who in turn sends drugs and money for logistics in carrying out HIV related activities. The state took delivery of drugs that would last for at least three months few days ago, so there is no vacuum,” he stated.