By Alice Etuka, Abuja
Orphans and Vulnerable Children Program Specialist of the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (US. CDC) Nigeria, Dr. Oluremi Oke has said that 734,000 people living with or affected by HIV across 19 states in Nigeria have benefitted from its Intervention Programs.
Dr. Oke disclosed this on Thursday, April 4, 2024 during his presentation at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) media roundtable held in Abuja.
In his presentation titled, “Improving Household Resilience and Financial Assets Among Vulnerable Households Through Village Savings and Loans Association”, he stated that the US. CDC supported the formation of 771 Village Savings and Loans Association groups between October 1, 2022 and September 31, 2023.
He said, “the US CDC Orphans and Vulnerable Children Program delivers child – focused, family-centered interventions that seek to improve the overall well-being and mitigate the impact of HIV on children and families.
“The program utilizes a case a case management approach which involves working in partnership with children and families to identify their needs, plan and complete a series of actions with the orphans, vulnerable children and their caregivers to achieve specific household goals”.
Dr. Oke explained that HIV often limits the capacity of caregivers to provide for the basic needs of the children within their Households due to Ill health and the cost of healthcare.
He highlighted the Targeted interventions for vulnerable Households to include financial literacy training, food support, village savings and Loans Association in the community and cash transfer.
Earlier, Branch Chief of the Continuum of Care and Treatment, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Dennis Onotu said the Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program was one of the HIV/AIDS programs funded by US Government under the Presidents’ Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in support of the Government of Nigeria to mitigate the scourge of HIV/AIDS on vulnerable household.
Onotu noted that the OVC program had been very efficient and impactful targeting the most vulnerable beneficiaries — children and women. Also, the program had been able to unite, sustain and bring hope to thousands of families affected by HIV and AIDS.
We are committed as US CDC to continue to work with deserving communities, through our implementing partners and community based organizations to provide services that will improve the wellbeing and longevity of our clients and keep them resilient.
A beneficiary of the OVC program, Mrs Esther Terna expressed her appreciation to the USCDC for introducing the Village Savings and Loans Association, she explained that the interest accrued from her savings with them helped her start another line of business, send her daughter to school and helped her expand her main business.
