As part of activities to mark World AIDS Day celebrated every December 1, the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency, ANSACA, has raised the alarm that the fight against HIV/AIDS is not yet over.
They gave the warning during a sensitization walk to mark the day in Awka.
The walk took off from the corporate headquarters of Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Awka through Aroma Junction, second gate of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Awka, through Zik Avenue, Parkers junction, Arthur Eze Avenue and terminating at Unizik Junction where a HIV/AIDS testing centre was located .
They had banners with different inscriptions sensitizing the public about HIV/AIDS such as “HIV/AIDS is real”; “know your status”; “stop the stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV)”; “get tested today with self-test”; “It is punishable offence to discriminate against people living with HIV”, among others.
They also distributed condoms and HIV Self-test kits.
Speaking to the ABS, the Project Manager of ANSACA, Mr. Johnbosco Ementa and the State AIDS Programme Coordinator, SASCP, Dr Tonia Mbagwu said it is important for people to know their HIV status as early treatment will ensure reduction in transmission, assuring that drugs for the treatment is free.
They noted that prevention remains the best option against the disease hence the reason all hands must be on deck to ensure that everyone get tested to reduce the rate of the infection.
The State Team leader of Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative AHNI, Dr Onyeka Ugwu and the wife of the Anambra state Commissioner of Police and Chairperson of Police Officers Wives Association, POWA, Mrs. Bolanle Aderemi-Adeoye said that HIV/AIDS testing centres have been made more accessible and asked those living in Awka and environs who are yet to know their status to visit the testing points at Unizik Temporary site, Eke Awka market, Ekwueme Square, and Aroma junction to know their status .
December first every year is set aside as World AIDS DAY to remember those who died on account of HIV/AIDS and to raise awareness about the disease, modes of transmission of the virus and the preventive measures against the disease.
The global celebration which is anchored by the World Health Organization, WHO, has this year’s theme as “Communities: Leadership to end AIDS by 2030.”
In Anambra, the commemoration is spearheaded by ANSACA in collaboration with the Anambra state Ministry of Health, other line ministries, development partners and other civil society organizations in the state.
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