Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Gombe state Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Friday, reiterated his administration’s commitment to provide a Health system that will be responsive to the health needs of citizens of the state.
Governor Yahaya stated this through the Secretary to the State Government Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, when received members of the Civil Society For HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CISHAN) who came an Advocacy Visit to the Government House.
He said, Health is one of the focal point of the present administration noting that government is doing everything necessary to contain the spread of the virus and to provide treatment for those already infected.
He stated further that one of the measures put in place by government was a compulsory test for HIV/AIDS before a marriage can be contracted adding the measure has helped in containing the spread of the HIV Virus.
The SSG said the State Government under the leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya is committed to providing quality Health Services to the people as the sector remains one of its main focus.
“When we came into office, what the Governor keeps on telling me is that people always talk of Education forgetting the imperative; Health which is the enabler for one to go to school and perform other social activities.
He said religious leaders in Gombe state have keyed into government policy where couples must present HIV/AIDS test certificate before they can be joined as husband and wife adding that the state government encourages the new self testing kits.
On his part, Executive Secretary of Civil Society for HIV/AIDS (CISHAN) Dr. Walter Ugwuocha informed the Secretary to the State Government that they were in Gombe state, to Flagg off the campaign for the use of the HIV self testing kit in the Northeast region and to seek for the support of the state government, in reaching out to the people.
Ugwuocha also gave free samples of the HIV self testing kit to the SSG, as he 
also administered to himself the rapid test to demonstrate how safe, easy and confidential it is.
He said the self test kit has reduced the number of people going to the hospital to seek for HIV testing, there by reducing the fear of stigmatization.
CISHAN together with GomSACA have commenced advocacy in Gombe, hoping to enlighten the puplic on the use of the HIV self testing kit, been the latest technology in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
