PHOTOS: Oluremi Tinubu launches campaign against HIV, hepatitis in Enugu

Oluremi Tinubu, first lady, has launched a campaign to eliminate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis and hepatitis in Enugu state.

The ‘Free to Shine’ campaign aims to tackle the diseases in women of reproductive age, prevent mother-to-child transmission, and treat children born with HIV/AIDS by 2030.

NAN reports that the initiative, which is part of the renewed hope initiative (RHI), was launched at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, during the first lady’s two-day working visit to the state.

It marked the final leg of the nationwide rollout, which had been launched in five other geopolitical zones.

Oluremi said the project is led by the African Union of First Ladies for Development, in partnership with global health organisations to address HIV in Africa.

She noted that Nigeria, due to its large population, bears the highest burden of HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa and faces significant challenges as a result.

According to her, the impact is especially severe among children, young people, women, and marginalised groups.

“HIV/AIDS is very much around us, and vaccination is required to treat it,” she said.

“We launched the campaign in January and have flagged it off in five political zones of north-central, north-east, north-west, south-south and south-west.

“Today, we have flagged off the campaign in south-east to complete the Free to Shine campaign.”

On Monday, the first lady distributed 10,000 medical kits to midwives and nurses across the south-east and handed out food items to vulnerable groups in Enugu.

She was accompanied by Nana Shettima, wife of the vice-president, Laila Barau wife of the deputy senate president; and first ladies from Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Abia, Bayelsa, Borno, Jigawa, and Imo states.

Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, said diseases can stall education, decrease productivity, and affect national development.

“The health sector is not just a sector but a foundation upon which progress is built. “Across Africa, we have seen our healthcare system trained through global support,” he said.

“In the face of these challenges, we have seen leadership and unwavering commitment, and that is exactly what the Free to Shine campaign represents. Senator Oluremi Tinubu stands as a shining light in this campaign.

“By September this year, we have completed and fully equipped 260 type 2 primary health centres.”

Ishaq Salako, minister of state for health and social welfare, commended Oluremi’s “motherly role” in supporting national health and reaffirmed the ministry’s partnership in promoting the wellbeing of Nigerians.

The highlight of the visit was the conferment of ‘Ugosimba 1 of Enugu state’ — meaning “the Precious Eagle from Another Land” — on the first lady by the Enugu state traditional rulers council.