By Adeyinka Adeniran
In commemoration of the 2023 World AIDS Day, the Oyo State Government has conducted free HIV testing as part of efforts to encourage residents of the state to know their HIV status and live a healthy life.
Speaking at the free medical outreach held at Ago-Amodu, Saki East Local Government Area of the state, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetumobi, disclosed that the prevalence of HIV had progressively declined in the state over the years.
She noted that the state was on course towards achieving the UNAIDS target of ensuring that at least 95percent of people with HIV are detected and become aware of their status by the year 2030.
Ajetumobi revealed that an estimated 44,973 individuals were living with HIV in Oyo state with about 96percent of them aware of their status, and about 40,000 of them successfully placed on treatment by the state government.
She added that the state government was able to record the feat through targeted interventions as a result of the painstaking efforts and political will of the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration, as well as the strong collaboration of other partners, including the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN), Society for Family Health (SFH), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Breakthrough Action NIgeria (BA-N), and World Health Organisation (WHO), amongst others.
Ajetumobi said “The roles of our CSOs and CBOs, private facilities, and organisations have been equally crucial in this regard. These efforts have been carried out within a setting of strong community commitment and support to the course.
“In all of these, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr ‘Seyi Makinde, is ever committed to ensuring an HIV-free state through the provision of both human and physical infrastructure that will not only assist the health workers to deliver quality HIV services, but will also create an enabling environment for our partners to operate.”
The commissioner urged citizens to take advantage of the HIV testing services being offered in over 1600 health service delivery points across the 33 local government Areas of the state in order to know their HIV status, noting that testing opportunities are provided during special events, such as Maternal-Newborn and Child Health Week and TB Testing Week.
Ajetumobi encouraged those who tested negative to remain so by following well-known preventive measures such as adopting responsible sexual practices, abstinence, faithfulness to partner, and protected sex, imploring them to be mindful of other exposures to HIV, like sharing needles and sharps, and receiving care and blood transfusions from unsafe sources.
She advised all pregnant women to take advantage of the HIV prevention services available in the facilities through ante-natal clinics, so that they would have a safe delivery of children who would be free from HIV and other childhood health conditions.
“Our health facilities are encouraged to sustain measures to protect their clients and their health workers by providing all necessary protective equipment in their various facilities. Health workers are advised to continue to take universal precautions.
“Those who inadvertently get exposed to the virus through needle pricks, cuts and splashes of body fluid in the line of duty are advised to take advantage of post-exposure prophylaxis made available in the facilities,” the commissioner recommended.
Ajetumobi further emphasiszed that the state government frowned at discrimination against people living with AIDS and would not hesitate to take action against individuals, groups, employers or anyone who stigmatized people living with HIV in accordance with the provisions of the state anti-stigma laws.
Earlier in her address of welcome, the Chairman, Saki East Local Government Area, Alhaja Ramat Adeniran, who was represented by her Chief of Staff, Alhaji Najimudeen Abdulahi, advised the youths to always abstain from sex, while urging couples to remain faithful to their partners.
Also, in their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of the Saki East Local Government Traditional Council and Onisanbo of Ogbooro, Oba Adegboye Adio, and the supporting partner, APIN, Dr Olajide Olalere, lauded the state government for giving priority to the welfare of its people.
The theme for the 2023 World AIDS Day is “Let the Community Lead”.
