By John Ikani
Namibia says it will partner Nigeria to effectively tackle HIV and AIDS in the Country.
The Southern African country made the pledge when its High commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Humphrey Geiseb paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA in Abuja.
The High commissioner, who described Nigeria as the window of Africa to the world commended Nigeria’s excellent response to HIV which he described as one of the best in the world.
He also called for more messages on the need for citizens to ascertain their status to sustain the successes achieved so far.
“We in Namibia are encouraged by your achievements and definitely many Africans in this great continent look at Nigeria as the window of Africa to the world. What happens in Nigeria matters to the continent, what achievements Nigeria is registering in the area of HIV/AIDS would be an encouragement to the rest of the men and women in this continent who are working on eradicating HIV/AIDS, so continue the work.”
Responding, the Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, Dr Aliyu Gambo who applauded Namibia’s success in interrupting mother-to-child transmission of HIV and AIDS expressed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with the country.
“Namibia has achieved 100% identification and placement of pregnant mothers that leave with them and this is the building block to end AIDS. This area is an area where we are looking forward to see how much we can learn from the Namibian successes. I want to thank your Excellency for your time and I will want to say that we can collaborate and walk together”
Dr. Aliyu Gambo also expressed optimism that Nigeria will achieve HIV and AIDS control by next year.
