Tag Archives: HIV/AIDS

UNFPA distributes 22,224 condoms in Calabar

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The United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, has distributed 22,224 condoms during its “Wise Up Cross River” campaign at Calabar Christmas village.

Olamide Onifade, Head, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, UNFPA, stated this via a statement he issued on Sunday in Calabar and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria.

Mr. Onifade said that since December 1 when the activities commenced at the village preparatory to the annual Calabar Carnival, 806 persons had been tested for and counselled on HIV/AIDS.

“Since the commencement of the ‘Wise Up Cross River’ campaign, 22,224 condoms, comprising 21,036 male and 1,188 female condoms have been distributed alongside 3,748 information, education and communication materials.’’

“Also, of the 1,235 people that have so far visited the “Wise Up Cross River” stand in the Christmas village, eight persons (six males and two females) have tested positive to the virus,” he said.

The unit head said those who tested positive had commenced treatment and been linked with relevant bodies, such as People Living with HIV/AIDs and other necessary groups for assistance.

He said that the information, education and communication materials would further enlighten the recipients on the disease.

According to him, the “Wise Up Cross River” campaign is an initiative of the UNFPA and the office of the Wife of the Governor, Cross River and other partners.

“The campaign is targeted at reducing HIV/AIDS prevalence in the state, through the active involvement of the youth and the vulnerable.

“This is in line with the target of ending HIV/AIDS around the world by 2030, using the 90:90:90 strategy, developed by the UNAIDS,” he said.

5,000 IDPs living with HIV/AIDS in Borno – official

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No fewer than 5,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in 27 camps in Borno are currently living with HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Hassan Mustapha, the Coordinator on HIV/AIDS in Borno, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri on Thursday.

He said that most of the patients were women who were rescued from captivity in Boko Haram camps.

The coordinator, however, said that some of those affected were not effectively accessing antiretroviral therapy because of stigmatization.

He lamented that many of them had died of the scourge because they were not properly counselled and sensitized on the need to enroll under the HIV/AIDS control programme.

“We have more than 1,000 patients in Bama camp and 3,000 in Gwoza camp while over 1,000 others are taking refuge in the host communities.

“We have heard of many supporting NGOs in Borno but none of them has approached us to offer assistance to the IDPs living with the virus.

“The IDPs living with such ailment are constantly challenged; they do not go out to access drugs.

“Most of them are shy while some are afraid to be identified by others as carriers.

“They sometimes complain to us that they are not allowed to go out of the camp to access drugs in other centers.

“The honest truth is that government is not paying priority attention to the plight of such persons,” said Mustapha.

HIV/AIDS: NACA Advise Nigerians To Play Safe On Valentine’s Day

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Prof. John Idoko, Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has advised Nigerians to love carefully and play safe as they celebrate the Valentine’s Day.

 
Idoko gave the advice in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.

 
It urged people to take full charge of their health by knowing their HIV/AIDS status and encouraging their partners to avoid risky behaviours that might expose them to the AIDS virus.
“Besides the excitement of the Day, people of all age groups, especially the young ones are enjoined to strive to access correct and accurate information about the pandemic.’’
It said abstinence from sex, keeping to a faithful partner and using a condom remained the best prevention against the virus.
It said it is pertinent that the young and adults are equipped with adequate information and education on how to ensure that Valentine day celebration is not taken out of context.
According to the statement, Valentine’s Day is a day expected to show love and care to those we care about, including the less privileged people around us.
“This is a special day for love. The only thing I tell people is that in your process of loving, love carefully, play safe and that is very important. I will emphasise that those who are young and haven’t had sex, keep to abstinence, and those who have partners – faithful partners, stick to your faithful partners.
“But when you do not know where you are going, or you don’t know your partner, please consistent use of condom and above all you should all know your status.
The statement said when a person living with HIV adheres to treatment, he can achieve viral suppression.
“When the virus is suppressed you do not transmit the virus to your partner,’’ it said.
Idoko also urged government, groups and eminent individuals to look at ways of providing more social and physical amenities that can engage young minds and keep them busy.
“More recreational parks, sport arenas, museums, tourist sites need to be developed as this will provide opportunity for the youth to visit such places, instead of engaging in the risky behaviours. This will help accelerate our optimism of putting an end to the epidemic by 2030.
“That is my message to all Nigerians, and I wish everyone a lovely but carefully loved Valentine’s Day,’’ it said.
Saint Valentine’s Day is an annual commemoration, held on Feb. 14 globally, celebrating love and affection. The day was named after Saint Valentine and established by Pope Gelasius I in 500 A.D.

 

 

(NAN)

US Condemns Gambia’s Anti-Gay Law

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The U.S. State Department on Monday condemned the decision by Gambia’s president to approve a law imposing life imprisonment for some homosexual acts.

 In a statement, Director of Press Relations Jeff Rathke said the State Department was also concerned about reports of recent arrests targeting at least four men, a 17-year-old boy and nine women accused of committing homosexual acts.

The suspects are the first to be arrested since the new law went into effect Oct. 9, the day President Yahya Jammeh signed it. Amnesty International last week accused Gambian security forces of resorting to beatings and the threat of rape and other abuses if they did not confess.

Gambian officials have declined to comment on the new law or the arrests.

“We are dismayed by President Jammeh’s decision to sign into law legislation that further restricts the rights of L.G.B.T. individuals and are deeply concerned about the reported arrests and detention of suspected L.G.B.T. individuals in The Gambia,” Rathke said, using an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Homosexual acts were already punishable by up to 14 years in prison before Gambian lawmakers passed a bill in August punishing “aggravated homosexuality” with life in prison. The term, borrowed from a Ugandan law signed earlier this year that drew widespread condemnation before it was overturned on procedural grounds, targets “serial offenders” and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Suspects can also be charged with aggravated homosexuality for engaging in homosexual acts with someone who is under 18, disabled or who has been drugged. The term also applies when the suspect is the parent or guardian of the other person or is “in authority over” him or her.

Jammeh, one of Africa’s most vocal anti-gay leaders, has also been criticized for other rights abuses, including allowing the execution of nine people by firing squad in 2012.

In remarks aired on state television Sunday night, Jammeh said he would push for a law imposing capital punishment for child rapists and people convicted of “baby dumping,” or abandoning their children.

“And I will implement the law to the letter,” he said.

Credit: Yahoo News