Family Health International (FHI) Plans 20 VCT Centres...(3)
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I found interesting reading the concern of Peter Burgess on the plans
by FHI Nigeria to increase the VCT Centres it is supporting from 2 to
20. I believe that FHI would probably have sent a more comprehensive
update to Peter to enable him understand the works of FHI in Nigeria
more comprehensively.
I have worked with CEDPA Nigeria that has provided support to various
NGOs in their collective fight against HIV. In the course of my work
and also in acting as a local Consultant to CIDA (Canada) I have at-
tended various capacity building workshops that were either facili-
tated or funded by FHI using USAID funds and participants have trans-
lated such knowledge into the establishment of VCTs in their differ-
ent localities.
The development of "VCTs" in Nigeria must take cognisance of cultural
sensitivities and so cannot be boxed into a stereotyped setting.
There are various religious organisations that have come a long way
in facilitating members to voluntarily carry out HIV screening with
counselling support that may not fit into Centres as Peter may be
conceptualizing. Note that I am not against the setting up of "x"
number of VCT Centres but we must bear in mind that the index for
measuring success cannot be limited to number of centres but must
measure beyond the number of persons getting counselled/tested, re-
duction in persons taking risks and degree/quality of care and sup-
port received by PLWAs to a reduction in the incidence and prevalence
of HIV.
I appreciate the concern of Peter for proper use of tax payers'
money.
Dr Patrick Dakum, MBBS, MPH
Commissioner for Information
Plateau State Nigeria
mailto:pdakum@hotmail.com
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