Kwara State AIDS Control Agency (KWASACA) has commenced screening of
communities across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state for
HIV/AIDS.
Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the screening exercise in
Bode-Sadu, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, the Programme
Manager, Kwara State Action for Aids Control Agency (KWASACA), Dr
Seleem Alabi, said screening for HIV/AIDS is a week-long activity that
had commenced across the state, especially in remote areas.
He said community intervention is taking place in Bode-Sadu, Dogari,
and Kambi Oloru, which will include sensitisation, screening and
teenage care services among others.
Seleem explained that Bode-Sadu market days afforded the agency an
opportunity to meet with numerous people from various communities to
be screened for the disease.
“We have been sensitising people not only on HIV but also on blood
pressure and other related diseases, as our doctors, nurses and
pharmacists are already on ground,” he said.
The KWASACA Programme manager noted that the agency had the support of
the World Bank while also lamenting the fact that some support donors
had left the country.
He appealed to all stakeholders, agencies, civil societies and other
parastatals not to relent in their efforts to control HIV/AIDS in
Nigeria.
Seleem however urged those that may have tested positive to the
disease not to be positive as they can live their normal lifestyles
with medications. He therefore charged those who are yet to be
infected by the disease to continue to live a healthy live.
Speaking also at the screening exercise, the Technical Assistant,
KWASACA, Dr Abolaji Umar, said the outreach programme has already
taken place in Chikanda, Kosu-Bosu and Okuta and other communities in
Kwara North senatorial district.
He pointed out that the essence of the intervention assessment is to
examine the knowledge, attitude and practice of people living in those
communities as regards to HIV/AIDS and their sexual health.
Speaking earlier, the Mogaji (Community Head) of Bode-Sadu, Alhaji
Bolakale Yusuf, appreciated the efforts of the state government for
their intervention in control of HIV/AIDS in their communities.
He pledged the support of their communities to any health
interventions that will take place, saying that they will ensure
people are there to get screened at all times the need arises.
It was gathered that some of the intervention included the
distribution of condoms, flyers and sensitisation in many languages on
sexual health.
