Source: Leadership (Abuja)
The Akwa Ibom State Agency for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Prevention (AK-SAAP) has declared its resolve to wage a total war against the disease and move the state from its present high prevalent rate group in the country.

Chairman of the agency Dr Francis Udoikpong stated this yesterday when he met with members of staff of the outfit in his office at Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, the state capital.

He said that AK-SAAP must live up to its mandate by improving on the awareness campaigns and other enlightenment programmes on the prevention of the HIV menace.

Udoikpong charged the workers to see themselves as foot soldiers in the fight against the scourge, and pledged to carry them along in the conduct of the agency's activities.

The one-time commissioner for health in the state said that to realise the goal, the personnel must embrace the team spirit needed in the renewed fight against the HIV.

He stated that as civil servants, three things make them tick: accountability, that is keeping one's records straight and in the process maintaining transparency; commitment to the service, which leads to being loyal to the government of the day, as well as punctuality to work, stressing a zero-tolerance for truancy.

"As fighters, your common enemy is HIV/AIDS and not co-workers, therefore, all your energy should be channelled towards this direction and on quality things that will help develop and promote the agency," he said.

While acknowledging the need for the employees to be trained and retrained in the task of combating the menace, the chairman warned against in-fighting.

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