Ilorin — Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara announced on Wednesday that the state government would spend N70 million to establish an HIV/AIDS centre.

Ahmed announced the proposal in Ilorin during the Annual General Meeting of the Kwara branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).

Ahmed, who was represented by Abdul Kayode, the state Commissioner for Health, said the last prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the state was 2.2 per cent, as against the national average of 4.4 per cent.

He also said there was extensive collaboration between the state government and International Agency Friends in Global Health (FIGH) on the eradication of the pandemic in the state.

According to him, the state government has invigorated effective service delivery in the health sector to achieve the target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He said efforts were going on to ensure that structures and effective healthcare service were provided in the state.

Ahmed said a multi million naira chest clinic had been built and fully equipped to cater for respiratory diseases in the state.

"In the city centre, the renovation of the University Of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) is almost completed to serve as referral primary healthcare centre for the citizens.

"This commitment has made the government to upgrade the Children Specialist Hospital, Igboro, to ensure synergy of effective performance of healthcare services," he said.

Ahmed also pledged to upgrade the general hospitals across the 16 local government areas to reduce the overcrowding at UITH.

NAN