World AIDS Day: AHF to test 4,500 in Kogi, Govt to abolish users’ fees
A non governmental organization, Aids Health Foundation (AHF) Nigeria on Saturday says about 4,500 people will be offered free HIV testing and counseling in Kogi State as part of its activities to mark the 2018 World Aids Day. Kogi State Coordinator of AHF Nigeria, Dr Balogun Stephen disclosed this in Lokoja after a road walk […]
Road walk organised by AHF Nigeria in collaboration with KOSACA in Lokoja to mark the World Aids Day. Photo: Itodo Daniel Sule Lokoja
A non governmental organization, Aids Health Foundation (AHF) Nigeria on Saturday says about 4,500 people will be offered free HIV testing and counseling in Kogi State as part of its activities to mark the 2018 World Aids Day.
Kogi State Coordinator of AHF Nigeria, Dr Balogun Stephen disclosed this in Lokoja after a road walk organised by AHF Nigeria in collaboration with the Kogi State Agency for Control of Aids (KOSACA) to sensitise the people on the need to know their HIV/AIDS status.
He said various centres have been designated for free HIV/AIDS counseling and testing in the state for people to know their status in line with the theme of this year’s World Aids Day: “Live Positive; Know Your Status”.
In Lokoja, he said there would be testing and counseling centres at the premises of the Kogi State Ministry of Health as well as the Children’s Amusement Park.
According to him, those that test positive would be linked with its sites across the state to access treatments.
He said the organization on Friday held “moonlight testing” which was targeted at “high risk population” who have multiple sexual partners and engage in drug related activities, adding that a total of 100 people were tested during that outreach.
According to him, over 7,000 condoms have been procured to be distributed to members of the public free as part of activities marking the day.
Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Haruna Saka said the state government would abolish the collection of users’ fees at treatment sites in the state to enable those living with the virus have access to treatment without restraints.
He also assured that the ministry would ensure an improvement in the budget line for HIV/AIDS in the 2019 budgets and would also monitor to ensure release of such funds when approved.
In the same vein, the Civil Society For HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CISHAN) on the Federal Government through its MDAs to stop payment of user fees being charged people living with HIV by treatment facilities across the country.
The CISHAN made the call at a press conference organised in collaboration with Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) and roadwalk to mark the 2018 World AIDS Day with the theme: “Know Your Status” on Saturday in Lokoja.
Mr Hamza Aliyu, Kogi State Coordinator of CISHAN who addressed the press conference said the fees were illegal as there was no policy provision for the payment of any type of fees by people living with HIV in Nigeria to access live saving treatment.