Leadership (Abuja)
Joseph Wantu
20 January 2008
The Minister of State for Health, Arch. Gabriel Aduku, has sounded a note of warning to all health workers who are in the habit of selling anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs and TB drugs, stressing that anyone caught would be arrested and prosecuted.
Speaking to newsmen at the weekend in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, the minister stated that the federal government has provided these drugs to be assessed free by both HIV/AIDS and TB patients.
The minister, who was on a one day working visit to the state, explained that more service points have been created to cater for the large number of infected people and urged patients to go to these service points, instead of trying to assess the drugs through illegal means. He called on people living with HIV/AIDS and TB to expose anyone asking for money before allowing them access to the drugs, pointing out that any health worker who is caught in the act would be dealt with to serve as deterrent to others.
While being conducted round the Federal Medical Center, Makurdi, by the medical director of the center, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufunke Dosunmu, the minister commended the management and staff of the hospital for carrying out a number of positive projects within a short period and urged them to keep up the good work.
At an interactive session with staff and union officials of the hospital, Arch. Aduku assured them of the preparedness of the ministry to increase their pay package in order to make the hospital one of the best in the country.
He urged them to reciprocate the gesture with dedicated service, probity, transparency and accountability in line with President Yar'Adua's agenda of due process and the rule of law.
Earlier in the day, the minister paid a courtesy visit on the Benue State governor, Hon. Gabriel Suswam, at the Government House, where he described the issue of HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis as a major concern to Nigeria and 36 other countries in southern Sahara and called on all stakeholders to brace up to the challenge.
Responding, Governor Suswam expressed concern that Benue still stands out in HIV prevalence in the country, while also adding that tuberculosis has lived with the people for a long time.
He noted that the state would not stop running to the federal government for assistance until the scourge is pruned down.
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