The HIV/AIDS
Programme Manager, Rivers State Ministry of Health (RSMOH), Dr Golden Owhonda says structural issues such as socio-cultural, economic and political factors are responsible for the spread of HIV worldwide.
Dr. Owhonda, who stated this in a chat with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said apart from the structural issues, stigmatization and punitive laws, also accounted for the spread of HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA).
“Groups vulnerable to HIV are being left behind in most of the EECA region and around the world, due to insufficient coverage of rights-based and evidence-informed prevention and treatment services,” he said.
The Programme Manager noted that while EECA countries faced low or concentrated HIV epidemics, they were extremely diverse and required local diagnosis, local leadership, tailored and dynamic HIV responses.
He, however outlined progress in the conceptualization, implementation and measurement of social determinants and structural interventions available to support and enable HIV prevention and treatment programmes.
“With over 15 structural intervention approaches available to diagnose and shift social barriers to HIV services delivery or uptake, it is time to invest in and appropriately evaluate them.
He urged AIDs policy makers and advocates to utilize social and political strategies for effective HIV response.
Sogbeba Dokubo
