The Rivers State Response Team on Violence Against Women & Children has hailed the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) over the donation of drugs and medical items to support free treatment and care for survivors of sexual and gender based violence in Rivers State.
The Team which described the donation as huge in value and quantity, said the move by IHVN is a step in the right direction, and an encouragement to the Team in sustaining the war against rapists and other perpetrators of sexual violence within the State.
Tombari Dumka-Kote, Coordinator, Rivers State Response Team on Violence Against Women & Children, state this after he led a delegation of the Team members to witness the donation of the medical items worth millions of Naira to the Rape Clinic, Model Primary Health Centre, Orugbom, and 23 other health facilities across the State today.
According to Dumka-Kote, the fight against sexual and gender based violence is everyone’s business, and as such well meaning individuals and corporate organizations within and outside the State should emulate the kind gesture by IHVN wish in his words have contributed immensely in material and financial support to rekindle the hope of traumatized survivors of sexual and gender based violence in the State over the last 8years.
“while the State Government is doing its best through a continues support to the health facilities to provide free medicare to survivors of sexual violence, members of the corporate community as well as donor organizations are encouraged to join effort in the fight by making donation of drugs and other items, to make the work easy for responders whose services are purely voluntary’’ Dumka-Kote stated.
Also speaking, Dr. Nwabueze Blessing, Head of Facility, Model Primary Health Centre Orogbum, appreciated the IHVN for their services in the State which has benefited patients and individuals, as well as helped to cut the spread of HIV in particular.
She said the donation will go a long way to help the facility, as most survivors of sexual violence who visit the facility come cap in hand having nothing. Thus survivors of rape will appreciate this kind gesture which includes free medicine and rape kits.
Mary Nzeli, representative of IHVN said the institute is in the State to prevent HIV, but has also extended its services to cover the prevention of cases of sexual violence, to support survivors of rape.
She noted that the support which is majorly for all sexual violence cases, is to assist for free treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infection. ‘’Members of the public are encouraged to direct survivors of rape to the facility, as the drugs are free, and shall be used for free treatment of all persons who have suffered rape’’ Nzeli stated.
The IHVN representative appreciated their funder, PEPFAR through CDC, CEO Dr Patrick Dakum, COO Dr Charles Mensah and State PD Dr Stanley Idakwo, listed other health facilities across the State that benefited from the donation to include; University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Ahoada General Hospital, Bori General Hospital, Terabor General Hospital, Isiokpo General Hospital, Eleme General Hospital, Okomoko General Hospital, Abua General Hospital, Degema General Hospital, Omoku General Hospital, Bonny General Hospital, Community Health Centre, Oyigbo, Umuebulle Cottage Hospital, Police Medical Hospital, Meridian Hospital, Health of the Sick Hospital, Nchia Modern Primary Health Centre, Obio Cottage Hospital, Churchil Modern Primary Health Centre, Ogu Model Primary Health Centre, Alphonso Hospital, and Rumuodomaya Model Primary Health Centre.
The drugs are to be administered free of charge to survivors of rape.
Queeneth Igbara
Communication/Public Enlightenment Officer.
