Health

HIV/AIDS scourge: Group embarks on distribution of free test kits

By Ifeanyi Eduzor

As part of efforts to fight the spread of HIV among the youths in our society, a non governmental organisation, Network of Adolescents and Young Persons Development (ANAYD) in conjunction with John Hopkins University has commenced the distribution of free test kits in some pilot Local Government Areas of Lagos State namely; Amuwo Odofin, Ajeromi- Ifelodun, Eti- Osa, Ojo, Lagos Island and Lagos Mainland.
Disclosing this to the media, Executive Director of the organisation, Aron Sunday, said the exercise targeted at youths and adolescents allows the person to use oral fluid for the test instead of blood sample noting that its fast convenient and lasts only twenty minutes.
He stated that they’ve already distributed 14,000 kits but hope to reach 30,000 just as he posited that similar exercise is also on- going in Anambra, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Taraba, Kano, Kaduna and Rivers State.
According to him, the purpose of the exercise is to ensure that yong people who are usually underserved by traditional HIV testing services in the country due to stigmatisation and inadequate friendly service facilities need to be reached with affordable testing and referral services to make healthy and informed decisions about their daily endeavours.
Sunday while thanking Lagos state government and Lagos State Aids Control Agency for their support appealed to the National AIDS Control Agency ( NACA) and the various state AIDS control agencies to consider replicating the exercise across their states as the global world strives towards eradicating the disease by 2030.

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