The United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has commended the Delta State Government for its impressive strides in HIV programme management, describing the state as a front-runner in health systems ownership and sustainability in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by Dr. Jerry Gwamna, Deputy Director of Programmes at the U.S. CDC, during a courtesy visit to the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, in Asaba.
Dr. Gwamna praised Delta’s proactive and strategic engagement with lead partners, saying the state had shown exceptional commitment in taking ownership of health initiatives. “We have truly been happy engaging Delta State. Through collaboration with our lead partners, we have seen remarkable progress,” he noted.
He revealed that due to Delta’s leadership and commitment, the original target to fully transition health programme responsibility from donor partners to state control by 2030 could be achieved even earlier, depending on evolving policy directions in the U.S.
In his response, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, affirmed that Delta State is poised to be among the first in Nigeria to assume full ownership of health programmes previously managed by the Federal Government and international partners.
Dr. Onojaeme emphasized that this move is in line with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s vision of building a more resilient and self-sustaining healthcare system for the state.
He lauded the impact of donor-supported health programmes in the fight against HIV and other diseases, saying they have significantly strengthened the state’s health infrastructure.
However, he stressed the need to consolidate these gains by ensuring that the state government takes the lead in programme funding, implementation, and oversight.
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“Our Governor is committed to improving the health and well-being of Deltans. While we appreciate the support of our partners, we are determined not to leave the implementation of these programmes solely in their hands,” the Commissioner stated.
He expressed gratitude to the U.S. CDC and the Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS) for their continued support, adding that the collaborative programmes have positively impacted countless lives across the state.
Dr. Onojaeme reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to deepen partnerships while gradually assuming full responsibility for healthcare delivery to ensure long-term sustainability and improved health outcomes for the people of Delta State.
