ODSACA/NGO TAKES HCT
CAMPAIGN TO MOTOR PARKS
A call has gone to motorists, Okada riders, long distance
drivers and road users in the state to embrace HIV prevention intervention
strategies in their daily activities, so as to safeguard their health, family
and the society.
The call was made by the Secretary to the State Government
and Chairman, Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ODSACA), Dr. Aderotimi
Adelola, during a sensitization programme/mobile HIV counseling and testing
(HCT) convened by a non - governmental organization, War Against HIV/AIDS On
Wheel, through the support of the Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ODSACA)
and the World Bank, as a way of educating drivers, Okada riders, long distance
drivers and other road users in Akure South, Owo, Akoko North East, Ondo West,
Odigbo and Ose local government areas, on the dangers and preventions of Human
immuno virus.
Addressing the participants, the Secretary to the State
Government, represented by the Prevention Focal Officer of ODSACA, Mr.
Adebowale Okunrinboye, said the agency is determined to ensure HIV prevalence
gets to zero in Ondo State, stressing that it will continue to reach out to
various categories of people to ensure the message gets to everyone.
He appealed to every individual to
take an HIV test which is the entry point for HIV prevention, treatment, care
and support, stating that the people must acquit themselves with prevention -
intervention strategies that will prevent HIV new transmission, care for people
living with HIV, reduce AIDS related deaths; while care and support will be
effectively given to orphans and vulnerable children of people who died of
HIV/AIDS.
Similarly, the Executive Director, War Against HIV/AIDS on
Wheel, Mr. Femi Akinlabi, stated that the non - governmental organization has
decided to collaborate with relevant state and international bodies to prevent
new HIV infection, provide mobile HIV counseling and testing to the people, who
were earlier educated on the need to know their HIV status, abstain from
unprotected sex, remain faithful or use condoms.
He stressed that over 3000 drivers, Okada riders and long
distance drivers in 6 local government areas of the state will be sensitized
about the virus, adding that a minimum of 25 peer educators are being trained
in all the six local governments and they are expected to mobilize and trained
at least 20 drivers and /or Okada riders each on HIV prevention, treatment and
care.
Akinlabi noted that their target is to ensure every local
government is free from HIV and this can be achieved through collective fight
and provision of needed logistics to assist in the crusade against the virus,
whereby HIV prevalence is reduced to zero in the state.
The Executive Director, maintained that sensitization and
advocacy programmes have been earlier carried out in the 6 local governments to
enable the people understand the importance of the programme.
Responding on behalf
of the Drivers, the Deputy Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport
Workers, Akure Branch, Mr. Victor Adeayewa, who lauded the government for
consistently caring for the people, noted that the programme will go a long way
to sensitise members about HIV/AIDS.
Ayokunle Ikusemiju,
Press Officer,
Office of the SSG
No comments:
Post a Comment