The Kwara State Government says it will continue to play its own part in the fight against HIV/AIDS despite the economic situation.
In a broadcast by the Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira, on Thursday to mark the World AIDS Day celebration, the government said it was committed to the welfare of the people more so that donor agencies have withdrawn their support.
Kisira said the downward fall of the epidemic from 4.2 per cent to 2.2 per cent means that nearly 50 per cent drop in the fight against HIV/AIDS has been achieved in the state.
Elder Kisira, who is the Chairman of the Kwara State Aids Control Agency, stated that the significance of the Word Aids Day celebration is to remind Nigerians that HIV has not gone away and that there is still much to be done to tackle the global epidemic.
He said KWASACA has increased partnership with civil society organisations interested in the control of the scourge, organised capacity building for health workers directly involved, as well as the undertaking of skill acquisition services.
Elder Kisira however called on the people to go for HIV testing and counselling on a regular basis to know HIV status, while he also advised those living with the virus to ensure adherence to their anti-retroviral drugs to stay healthy and prevent further spread of the virus.
He highlighted the important factors in the prevention and spread of HIV/AIDS in the state to include bad sexual practices, sharing of unsterilized sharp objects, having multiple sexual partners, ignorance on the mode of spread of HIV/AIDS, having unprotected sex with someone living with HIV/AIDS, infected pregnant women not using their drugs regularly and infected pregnant women not attending anti-natal clinic/hospital and not going to the clinic/hospital for delivery among others.
Kisira commended the LEAH Foundation, the Faith Based Organisation Line Ministries, Local Action Committee on AIDS, Management Science for Health, Hygiea Foundation, Civil Society Organisation and all other stakeholders working on HIV/AIDS in the state for their efforts.
Among other activities to mark the World Aids Day in the state were awareness creation in churches and mosques, celebration of World Aids Day in all the 16 local governments of the state, voluntary counselling and testing at motor parks and media discussion on HIV/AIDS.
The World Aids Day is a yearly event that is celebrated on December 1 worldwide.
This year’s theme was: “Hands on for HIV prevention.”
The World Aids Day was first observed in 1998.
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