The government of Cross River State is looking into affordable local manufacturing options for producing antiretroviral (ARV) medications for the state’s 30,000+ HIV/AIDS sufferers.
This was revealed by Dr. Charles Iwara, Director General of the Cross River State Agency for the Control of AIDS (CR-SACA), at a meeting with representatives of a pharmaceutical company.
Iwara clarified that the initiative’s goal is to make HIV treatment in the state self-sufficient.
He said the approach has become essential to lessen dependency on donor finance and international help for HIV/AIDS.
Iwara pointed out that it is now crucial to look into sustainable and easily available choices because there are more than 30,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Cross River State and donor partners are providing less financing.
“This effort is admirable, particularly in light of the Federal Government’s national efforts to develop ARV medications domestically.
Therefore, it would be a big step forward to have a local company interested in producing these medications in Calabar, Iwara stated.
Additionally, he expressed gratitude to Governor Bassey Otu for bringing up the idea of producing the medications locally.
“In addition to their integration in the state’s Health Insurance Scheme, we have been thinking about ways to ensure sustainability in our healthcare services, and this is a crucial step towards providing necessary support to those in urgent need of these medications,” Iwara continued.
The local manufacture of ARVs is poised to greatly ease the problems faced by inhabitants of the state suffering with HIV/AIDS, he added, adding that the local options will meet World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
About The Author
