By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi.
Chairperson, Bauchi State Society for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Support (BAHIMTO), Hajiya Fati Mai-Aku has appealed to the state government for financial support.
Mai-Aku at the graduation of 85 members of the association who undergo a three months Guidance and Counseling training on HIV test and Traditional Birth Attendance (TBA), said BAHIMTO has no alternative other than to seek government’s financial assistance to meet its set objectives.
She outlined some of the challenges militating against the smooth operation of the society as lack of mobility to go round the 20 Local Government Areas on the state on enlightenment drive against dangers inherent in HIV/AIDS, other communicable diseases, and the need to to support orphans and vulnerable children.
Hajiya Fati Mai-Aku at the graduation ceremony held weekend at the Federal Secretariat Bauchi, traced the history of the society to 2013 with an initial membership of 20 now grown to 2, 300 members across the twenty Local Government Areas of the state.
The Chairperson told the graduands drawn from four Local Government Areas of Bauchi, Dass, Toro and Tafawa Balewa of the need for the society to post them to various health institutions in the state to volunteer in child delivery services.
Mai-Aku, who called on other would-be volunteers to join the society, said the body which lacks office accommodation, now operates from her private residence where she often use parts of her meager salary to promote the cause of the society.
She however expressed delight that the recent registration by the Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu as a bona-fide member of the society has reduced to the barest minimum the morality threats being posed to the society and its membership.
Mai-Aku also solicited the support of the state government, Non-governmental organizations, corporate organizations and philanthropists towards the Medicare and feeding of 30 HIV infected children across the local government areas of the state.
She warned society members against mal-practices or engaging in unwarranted healthcare services other than traditional birth attendance volunteering or engage in enlightenment drive against communicable diseases.
The graduation ceremony was attended by some officials of the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (BACATMA), traditional and religious leaders, among others.
