5,000 people to benefit from free HIV test in Lagos

To commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day, over 5,000 people drawn from four local councils in Lagos State are to benefit from thefive days free Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Test Services (HTS) and healthy living information. The event, which is being organised, by Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI), in collaboration with National Youth Network on HIV/AIDS (NYNETHA), has the support of Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA).
The counncils are Agege, Lagos Mainland, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Kosofe.The event will start today at Ajeromi Ifelodun Council while the Youth Health Novelty Tournament comes up tomorrow, December 2, at Ojo-Oniyun Youth Centre, Ebute-Meta.

The event, which is funded by MAC AIDS Fund, has the support of Society for Family Health (SFH), Haceys’ Health, and FAN Milk Nigeria, among others.
Speaking at a conference to herald the event, Head of programmes, YEDI, Tomisin Adeoye informed that there would be referrals for those that are reactive to treatments.
She also hinted that there would also be malaria rapid diagnostic testing, distribution of bed nets, distribution of male and female condoms and lubricants among others.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of YEDI, Oje Ivagba who was represented by the communication officer, Lucky Ihanza stated that this year world AIDS day activities would build on the successes made in previous years.
“This event would address issues of stigmatization, discrimination and promotion of social inclusion and adequate care for people living with the disease.
“As it is, no individual, government or organization can make a meaningful progress in the fight against this disease. We therefore solicit to various organisations, well meaning Nigerians and government to support the campaign against this epidemic so as to realize the 90:90:90 global targets on HIV.”
On his own part, State Coordinator, NYNETHA, Lanre Babatunde urged the government to make ARV drugs free for those living with HIV/AIDS.
“The country has the second highest burden of HIV infection in the world. With about 3.2 million people living with HIV therefore the country needs all three tiers of government to respond to the epidemic.”