The Agege/Alimosho chapter of the National Association of Seadogs in Lagos State in collaboration with its New York branch in the United States has sensitised the public on the prevalence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the South-West region.
The sensitisation exercise, which was carried out in commemoration of World Aids Day on December 1 in partnership with the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board and Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, witnessed a robust awareness on HIV/AIDS, counselling, and free HIV screening.
The HIV prevalence in the Southwest of Nigeria as captured by the 2020 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS), a household-based survey, showed that Lagos still had a prevalent rate of 1.4 per cent.
This revealed that Lagos has the second-highest number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in South-West Nigeria.
The Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area Chairman, Mrs Bola Shobowale, who hosted members of the National Association of Seadogs at the one-day sensitisation campaign, said the awareness programme became imperative to mitigate at-risk behaviours due to the dwindling public enlightenment.
She regretted that the focus has shifted towards the global pandemic of Coronavirus popularly referred to as COVID-19, adding that HIV was still an issue. Shobowale said: “I want to applaud NAS for the humanitarian initiative. They are always welcome, and we support such programmes and partnerships aimed at strengthening healthcare awareness and solutions.”
The Lagos State Healthcare Board has always shown support in the medical missions organised by NAS. During the enlightenment programme with beneficiaries, a medical doctor, Dr Oyienami Eyimina-Otomi, harped on the
various modes of transmission and the stages of the virus.
She educated the participants on prevention, staying safe, as well as distribution of condoms to participants to encourage safe sex.
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Beneficiaries of the free HIV screening and counselling were staff members of the LCDA, pregnant and nursing mothers, who were around the hospital for immunisation, visitors who came in for business at the secretariat.
President of the Agege/Alimosho branch of NAS, also known as Hawkins Deck, Mr Hassan Aidorolo, commended the management of Ayobo-Ipaja Primary Health Centre for the warm reception and for providing an enabling environment for the seamless hosting of the event.
He noted that the venue was very strategic in capturing the attention of the target audience as it is a hub for daily activities and human traffic.
The Medical Officer of Health of Ayobo Ipaja Primary Healthcare Centre, Dr Agboola, was among those who carried out medical examinations on beneficiaries.
