World AIDS Day: Know Your Status, Avoid Risky Behaviours, AHF Cautions 

A Non-Governmental Organisation, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has urged the people including adolescents to ensure they know their HIV status and avoid risky behaviours.

Country Programme Director of AHF, Nigeria, Dr Eche Ijezie made the call on Monday during the commemoration of the 2024 World AIDS Day held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

Ijezie who harped on abstinence to sex among adolescents including the youths noted that where such was not possible, unprotected sexual acts or having multiple sexual partners should be avoided.

According to him, “we must ensure that we avoid risky sexual behaviours such as having multiple sexual partners, having unprotected sex and host of others. Everyone must know his or her status, the tests are for free, condoms are for free and available. So, we are encouraging everyone to test and know their status.

“Avoiding risky behaviours is crucial for adolescents and youths. We are also harping on comprehensive sexuality education targeted at adolescents and young, persons with the aim being to avoid Sexually Transmitted Infections, (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy”

He said a lot of gains have been made over the years in fighting HIV/AIDS, adding that stronger commitments are needed to tackle the prevalence of the virus headlong.

His words, “Over the years, across the world and even in sub–Saharan Africa the statistics have fallen due to the concerted efforts by all partners and governments at all levels. “Where we are now is not where we were before, a lot have improved, many have been placed on life saving medications and treatments. “However, we are saying that the fight is not over, it is not time to rest on our oars, it is time for people to remember that we must fight this fight to the finish.

Mrs. Elizabeth Udoh, Akwa Ibom state Coordinator for the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS thanked AHF for the initiative and commended the organisation for carrying their partners along in the commemoration. In her words, ‘’I say kudos to AHF for organising this commemoration in Akwa Ibom state and for involving the youths and other partners. We are happy and we say thank you AHF.’’ Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Drug Free and Preventive Healthcare, Mrs Grace Umosen, said ‘‘the event was a great success, we are happy to collaborate with AHF for this event, and we commend the instructiveness of the program, especially the free HIV tests on offer and free condoms that were distributed to the people.’’