- Oluremi Tinubu launched the ‘Free to Shine’ campaign in Enugu to fight HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis.
- The campaign targets women, children, and mother-to-child transmission by 2030.
- 10,000 medical kits and food items were distributed to support healthcare and vulnerable groups.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, has launched a campaign to eliminate Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Syphilis and Hepatitis.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the campaign tagged, ‘Free to Shine’ aims to tackle the diseases in women of reproductive age, prevent mother-to-child transmission, and treat children born with HIV/AIDS by 2030.
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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.
The launch at Enugu marked the final leg of the nationwide rollout, which had earlier happened at five other geopolitical zones.
Oluremi stated that the project is led by the African Union of First Ladies for Development, in partnership with global health organisations to address HIV in Africa.
According to her, Nigeria, due to its large population, bears the highest burden of HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa and faces significant challenges as a result.
Oluremi said the impact is especially severe among children, young people, women, and marginalised groups.
She said, “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 the southeast to complete the Free to Shine campaign.”
In a related development, the first lady earlier distributed 10,000 medical kits to midwives and nurses across the southeast and handed out food items to vulnerable groups in the State.
Oluremi, who was accompanied by Wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima; Wife of the Deputy Senate President, Laila Barau; and first ladies from Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Abia, Bayelsa, Borno, Jigawa, and Imo states.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State said the diseases can stall education, decrease productivity, and affect national development.
Mbah said, “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.
“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.”
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On his part, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Ishaq Salako, commended the First Lady’s “motherly role” in supporting national health and reaffirmed the ministry’s partnership in promoting the well-being of Nigerians.
