By: Oriaku Angela
UNTHNEWSONLINE
(Edited by Patrick Okoruwa).

The Adolescent Friendly centre of the Paediatric Antiretroviral Clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku/Ozalla Enugu has marked their 2024 Motivation Party alongside World AIDS Day on Tuesday, 3rd December 2024, at the PEPFAR clinic of the hospital.

The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Obinna Onodugo, who was ably represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (C-MAC), Prof. Joy Eze, stressed the need to provide adequate support to the children living with HIV, especially on their psychological and emotional needs.

According to Prof. Eze, “I can assure you that the hospital management will continue to support the centre in all their activities.”
She also expressed her maximum satisfaction over the tremendous work being carried out by the focal person and coordinator of the children, Nurse Cheta Orji-Okafor.

In her remarks, the Chief Nursing Officer, Cheta Orji-Okafor, said that “the motivation party commenced in 2020 to uphold the goal of Operation Triple Zero (OTZ) program introduced by Caritas Nigeria in collaboration with UNTH for the management of HIV/TB treatment in the hospital.”

Prof. Joy Eze received an award on behalf of the Chief Medical Director

She stressed further that the sole aim of OTZ program is to “empower the young people whose age ranged from 10 to 24 years so they become the managers of their health. By so doing, they stand strong to achieve healthy living and commit to the Triple Zero outcomes of Operation Triple Zero (OTZ) which stands for “Zero Missed Clinic Appointments, Zero Missed Medicine, and Zero Viral Loads”.

Speaking further, the HOD of Pediatrics clinic, Prof. Ifeoma Emodi, and Deputy Director of Nursing, Anthonia Igwilo reinforced that the program usually holds quarterly in a year to promote the mental well-being, boost self-esteem, and educate the young people. In addition, the aim is to bring the activities to the knowledge of the government and the entire society on the high rate of people living with HIV.

Nurse May Okpala, representing Head of Nursing Services, received an award on her behalf

The centre’s leadership, in conjunction with the peer leader, Mr. Emmanuel, representing the children, and the clinic management, ably represented by Prof. Cajetan Onyedum, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the hospital management, the chief donor of the year, Rev. Dr. Stanley and Nurse Margaret Nwoji, the chairman of the occasion, Dr. Ijeoma Iloh, and all the philanthropists for their massive and countless supports in organizing this year’s motivation party.

One of the staff, Chima Kalu, a Medical Laboratory Scientist receiving an award from Prof. Eze

The donors include:
Prof. Obinna Onodugo (CMD & Patron of OTZ Club),
Prof. Joy Eze (CMAC, UNTH)
Mrs. Uche Obi (DA, UNTH),
Nurse Joy Unigwe (DN/HNS & Patroness of OTZ Club)
Rev. Dr. Stanley and Rev. Nurse Margaret Nwoji (Millions for Christ, USA), Dr. Oluchi Ike (Comm Med, UNTH),
Nurse Cheta Orji-Okafor (NSD, UNTH)
Dr. Chioma Onyedinma (Comm Med, UNTH), Mr. Boniface Uchelue (Chief PRO, UNTH),
Mrs. Chinememma Umesaka (Global),
Nurse Joyce Arinze (UK),
Nurse Nnenna Nwagbo (USA),
Chief Anthony Akasike (Adm. UNTH),
Ms. Ojiugo Adilue (PATH Inventors’ School, Enugu),
Prof. Anthonia Chinweuba (Nursing Dept, UNEC),
Prof. Ifeoma Emodi (CO-PI, HOD, Pediatric ART Clinic, UNTH),
Nurse (Dr.) Ijeoma Ilo (Nursing Dept, UNEC),
Mr. Emmanuel Okoro (DFA, UNTH),
Lady (Nurse) Chinwe Achukwu rtd. (NSD, UNTH),
Nurse Eze Felicitas (NSD, UNTH),
Mr. Peter Okafor (Adm., UNTH),
Madam Ezinne Okorie (Caritas Nig),
Pharm. Amara Ugwoke (Care Med Pharmacy, Enugu),
Dr. Ifeyinwa Odiaka (Comm Med, UNTH),
Dr. Ifeyinwa Ohanagorom (Ifem Education & Travels Agency, Nigeria/UK),
Lady Ngozi Chidi (Solution Ltd, Enugu),
Dr. Chinyere Nwolisa (Family Med, UNTH),
Nurse Eucharia Aniaku (NSD, UNTH),
Prof. Chika Ugochukwu (CON, UNTH),
Mr. Emmanuel Oluchukwu (Enugu),
Mr. Silas Udoka (Enugu),
Chief Cosmas Eze (Eze & Eze Estate valuer, Enugu),
Ms. Patty Obanye (Enugu)
Prof. kenechukwu Iloh (Pediatric ART Clinic, UNTH),
Nurse Anthonia Igwilo (DDN i/c ART Clinic, UNTH),
Dr. Bosah Umerah (Pediatric ART, UNTH),
Nurse Lucy Anukwe (Princ. School of Midwifery, UNTH),
Dr. Kachi Ugwa (Comm. Med, UNTH), Prof. Chinwe Chukwuka (PI, UNTH),
Prof. Cajetan Onyedum (Deputy Provost/CO-PI, UNTH),
Dr. Iloabachie Ugenyi (Comm. Med, UNTH),

Nurse Cheta received the award on behalf of Prof. Emordi

Highlights of the event include the gold medal awards to the one hundred and fifty-nine (159) young people who had good results in their investigation (suppressed or undetectable viral loads) and certificate awards to outstanding staff of the clinic.