By Adesakin Adefemi
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said more than 30,000 residents living with HIV are currently receiving free antiretroviral therapy, counselling, and support services in health facilities across the state.
He spoke on Thursday in Abeokuta during the commissioning of the Pharma-Grade Warehouse of the Ogun State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency.
The governor said his administration has recorded significant milestones in the healthcare sector by repositioning the state’s health system for optimal service delivery. He urged residents to take advantage of available healthcare services by visiting hospitals for proper diagnosis and treatment.
According to Abiodun, the state government has continued to strengthen HIV prevention programmes, expand testing services, and implement measures aimed at reducing new infections. He emphasized that free antiretroviral therapy and support services remain available to those who need them.
Governor Abiodun commended the Global Fund for expanding access to HIV treatment in Nigeria and supporting tuberculosis diagnosis, malaria prevention, as well as the provision of life-saving medicines and health commodities. He noted that the Fund’s grants have particularly benefited women, children, adolescents, vulnerable groups, and underserved communities.
Describing the newly commissioned warehouse as a strategic investment, the governor said the facility would enhance the storage, management, and distribution of essential medicines and health commodities across the state.
He explained that it would strengthen supply chain efficiency, reduce stock-outs, and ensure medicines and test kits reach healthcare facilities and patients across all local government areas in a timely manner.
Abiodun acknowledged that HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria remain significant public health challenges in the state. He assured that his administration, working with development partners, is making steady progress through sustained interventions aimed at reducing their impact.
Reaffirming commitment to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, the governor said efforts to combat tuberculosis have also been intensified through community outreach programmes, contact tracing, and hotspot mapping. He added that access to diagnostic services, including screening, X-rays, and laboratory testing, has been expanded while treatment remains free and accessible.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, said the facility was established to improve the delivery of quality healthcare services across the state. She commended Governor Abiodun for investing in a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography machine used for testing the quality of drugs supplied to health facilities, and disclosed plans to deploy technology capable of detecting low stock levels in medical facilities.
Executive Director of the Global Fund, Peter Sands, described the facility as a critical investment aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and ensuring the timely availability of medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic commodities.
He revealed that of the warehouses built across the country, Ogun State’s facility is the largest and best-equipped, and pledged the Fund’s continued support toward improving health outcomes and building a more resilient healthcare system.
