By Gift Defu
Accurate information and HIV testing remains the best way to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. This was stated at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Media Awareness Campaign and free HIV counselling and testing services to at least 3000 residents of Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa state.
The campaign was provided by Honourable Member of the Federal House Representatives, Honourable Abubakar Sarki Dahiru with support from Government of Nigeria through National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) which is aimed at ensuring that every Nigerians know their HIV status and ending AIDS by 2030.
Speaking during the brief opening ceremony, Honourable Dahiru who was represented by the Executive Secretary to Chairman of Obi Local Government Area stated that ‘’the event was put together as part of the 2019 constituency project to empower residents of the area with information on how to prevent HIV transmission, provide other medical services which includes malaria test, High blood pressure check, blood sugar level check and avail residents with the opportunity to test for HIV which is a very important aspect of the outreach being carried out within Obi Constituency”.
The Chairman further stated that the outreach is slated for two days, free malaria, High blood pressure, and diabetes drugs including HIV prevention tools such as educational materials and condoms were provided for participants at the outreach.
Also, speaking at the event was the representative of Niphemy Solutions Ltd who is coordinating the outreach on behalf of Honourable Abubarkar Sarki Dahiru said they are excited about the turnout of residents of Obi community as the crowd present is reassuring that the 2-day period for the outreach will be enough to meet its target.
Mr Ojo explained that the strategy used in delivering the outreach includes courtesy call to Osuko Obi, Aliyu Dangwa Ogiri Orume (Paramount Chief of Obi LGA), placements of radio and television jingles in the state broadcasting service as well as roadshow across Oleye, Oriso, Ope. Oyara. Oloso, Angwan Dankali, as well as brothel, motor cycle park (Okada riders) amongst others all within Obi constituency area.
Some of the beneficiaries of the free medical services that was been provided expressed their joy. Hajia Hawa Abdulmalik stated that she heard about the programme on radio and she decided to come with her husband and 3 years old daughter who has malaria.
‘’ I was attended to by the people testing people, I test for HIV and blood sugar level and my daughter was given malaria drugs and vitamin C and other plenty drugs, I thank our Honourable and may Allah bless him. Another beneficiary who simply identified himself as Danny boy said the HIV education that was provided had given him courage to test for HIV for the first time in his life.
‘’I always hear about HIV and am sacred about it but today, I learnt that HIV cannot kill you if you test and know if you get am or you no get on time and medicine is free and that is why I have confident to test for HIV today and I happy say I no get am, he concluded.
The highpoint of the opening ceremony of the 2-day outreach programme was when the Executive Secretary to Chairman of Obi Local Government Area who represented Honourable Abubarkar Sarki Dahiru presented himself to be tested for HIV to the loud cheers by the crowd in attendance.
Accurate information and HIV testing remains the best way to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. This was stated at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Media Awareness Campaign and free HIV counselling and testing services to at least 3000 residents of Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa state.
The campaign was provided by Honourable Member of the Federal House Representatives, Honourable Abubakar Sarki Dahiru with support from Government of Nigeria through National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) which is aimed at ensuring that every Nigerians know their HIV status and ending AIDS by 2030.
Speaking during the brief opening ceremony, Honourable Dahiru who was represented by the Executive Secretary to Chairman of Obi Local Government Area stated that ‘’the event was put together as part of the 2019 constituency project to empower residents of the area with information on how to prevent HIV transmission, provide other medical services which includes malaria test, High blood pressure check, blood sugar level check and avail residents with the opportunity to test for HIV which is a very important aspect of the outreach being carried out within Obi Constituency”.
The Chairman further stated that the outreach is slated for two days, free malaria, High blood pressure, and diabetes drugs including HIV prevention tools such as educational materials and condoms were provided for participants at the outreach.
Also, speaking at the event was the representative of Niphemy Solutions Ltd who is coordinating the outreach on behalf of Honourable Abubarkar Sarki Dahiru said they are excited about the turnout of residents of Obi community as the crowd present is reassuring that the 2-day period for the outreach will be enough to meet its target.
Mr Ojo explained that the strategy used in delivering the outreach includes courtesy call to Osuko Obi, Aliyu Dangwa Ogiri Orume (Paramount Chief of Obi LGA), placements of radio and television jingles in the state broadcasting service as well as roadshow across Oleye, Oriso, Ope. Oyara. Oloso, Angwan Dankali, as well as brothel, motor cycle park (Okada riders) amongst others all within Obi constituency area.
Some of the beneficiaries of the free medical services that was been provided expressed their joy. Hajia Hawa Abdulmalik stated that she heard about the programme on radio and she decided to come with her husband and 3 years old daughter who has malaria.
‘’ I was attended to by the people testing people, I test for HIV and blood sugar level and my daughter was given malaria drugs and vitamin C and other plenty drugs, I thank our Honourable and may Allah bless him. Another beneficiary who simply identified himself as Danny boy said the HIV education that was provided had given him courage to test for HIV for the first time in his life.
‘’I always hear about HIV and am sacred about it but today, I learnt that HIV cannot kill you if you test and know if you get am or you no get on time and medicine is free and that is why I have confident to test for HIV today and I happy say I no get am, he concluded.
The highpoint of the opening ceremony of the 2-day outreach programme was when the Executive Secretary to Chairman of Obi Local Government Area who represented Honourable Abubarkar Sarki Dahiru presented himself to be tested for HIV to the loud cheers by the crowd in attendance.
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