CROSS RIVER, CALABAR – Governor Bassey Edet Otu, of Cross River State has approved the free enrollment of 2,000 people living with HIV/AIDS into the State Healthcare Insurance Scheme, raising ethical debates on sustainability and inclusiveness.
The Director General of the Cross River State Agency for the Control of AIDS (CR-SACA), Dr. Charles Iwara, disclosed the initiative Wednesday during a bimonthly meeting of the State Policy and Advocacy Technical Working Group in Calabar.
Iwara said the program would relieve patients of financial hardship while ensuring consistent access to treatment. “This initiative reflects the Governor’s people-first mantra and commitment to quality healthcare for vulnerable populations,” he noted.
He stressed that the State planned to expand enrollment in phases, potentially covering more than the initial 2,000 patients. Cross River’s HIV prevalence rate currently stands at 1.8 percent, according to 2018 survey data.
“This expansion will give thousands the opportunity to manage their conditions effectively and pursue healthier lives,” Iwara explained, adding that situational ethics demanded prioritizing those already struggling with the cost of long-term treatment.
Beyond insurance, the State is also considering local production of antiretroviral drugs. Iwara said reducing reliance on external supplies would cut costs and strengthen health security for affected citizens.
He emphasized the need for a new comprehensive survey to update the actual number of people living with HIV in the State, warning that outdated data hampers effective planning.
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On broader health policy, Iwara explained that Cross River was adopting an integrated healthcare model that aligns interventions against malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis, in line with Federal guidelines and international best practice.
Chairman of the State Policy and Advocacy Technical Working Group, Barrister William Itoro, applauded the initiative, describing it as a turning point after years of institutional inactivity. “We aim to conduct aggressive advocacy campaigns and influence responsive policies,” he declared.
He urged Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to mobilize resources quickly. “We cannot afford to neglect prevention. Addressing HIV decisively is both a moral duty and a public health necessity,” Itoro said.
Development partners, including UNFPA, ECEWS, and the Nigerian Red Cross, pledged support to ensure the program’s implementation and sustain preventive measures across the State.