To mark the World AIDS Day 2023, the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) has urged communities to join efforts to end AIDS by 2023.
At a sensitization campaign in Government Secondary School Garki, in the FCT, IHVN FCT Regional Manager, Dr. Danjuma Sanda said that, “Collaboration is key as we strive to reach hard-to-reach communities. Testing is crucial; it’s an opportunity for everyone to know their HIV status. Remember, HIV is not a death sentence; we have life-saving antiretroviral medication. Everyone should get involved to create awareness about this disease that is ravaging our communities. Let us tackle this challenge together.”
GSS Garki Principal, Mr. Sadeeq Ayo Ochiji, thanked the Institute for the sensitization activity and packages given to the students.
“It is wonderful that you have looked outside the box and have reached out to community leaders like me to play my own role in the goal to end AIDS because I am a community leader here in this school.”
Before the school sensitization program in Abuja, IHVN participated in a press conference and road walk organized by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) to create awareness about HIV and the importance of getting tested for HIV.
In Nasarawa State, Katsina State and Rivers State, IHVN commemorated the day with a call to communities to shun stigmatization, utilize HIV services and take action to end HIV through road walks with stakeholders and community outreaches providing free HIV testing services.
