Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), has said that it would work with the National Action Committee on AIDS (NACAP) to reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS.

The Council announced this at a two-day workshop in Kaduna organised for traditional rulers, Islamic scholars and women NGOs, on the development of HIV and AIDS policies for the Muslim Ummah.

The state governor, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, who declared the workshop open, commended the Council for its efforts to reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS in the state.

Sambo, who was represented by Alhaji Balarabe Jigo, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Religious Affairs, said that HIV and AIDS had become a threat to socio-economic activities.

Namadi said free medical treatment was being provided in the 23 general hospitals in the state for preventive medication aimed at reducing the transmission from mother to child.

He assured that the state government was fully committed towards reducing the spread of the pandemic.

Also speaking, NACA Director-General, Mr Babatunde Osotemehin, said the workshop was organised as part of awareness campaigns to reduce the spread of the pandemic.

He said that training stakeholders would help to build a joint force towards the attainment of an HIV and AIDS free society. (NAN)