AIDS CONTROL AGENCY/NURTW LAUNCH CAMPAIGN IN LAGOS MOTOR PARKS

The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has launched joint HIV intervention programme as part of strategies to further raise the awareness level among Lagos State residents, especially NURTW members.

Speaking at the flag off of the programme in Ojota, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA , Dr. Oluseyi Temowo, stated that an HIV positive person could be symptom free for about 10 years while being able to infect others if not checked and treated .

Temowo advised the people to take advantage of the HIV counseling and testing services to ascertain their HIV status and take appropriate steps, if positive, to prevent transmission to other people, stating that being HIV positive does not translate to death, provided appropriate medication is taken to prevent progression to AIDS.

He said that apart from raising awareness, the intervention would also ensure early detection and treatment, scale-up uptake of mobile community HIV Counseling and Testing as part of efforts towards the eradication of the scourge by 2030 and engender an HIV/AIDS free generation.

Temowo counseled the members to adjust their sexual behavior, emphasizing that abstinence was the best option and therefore urged them to be faithful to their partners, while also encouraging the use of condoms as demonstrated by the health educator.

The HIV intervention campaign of LSACA/ NURTW is aimed at ensuring that NURTW members across Lagos State know their HIV status.

The campaign would be done in various motor parks, including Ojota Central Motor Park, Ikeja Central Motor Park , Bariga-Oworo, Yaba , Iju , Oyingbo Mainland , Idi-Mongoro, Ajegunle , SEME Border, Ebute – Ero , CMS, Iyana-Ipaja, Oshodi, Sabo Ikorodu Town, State Secretariat Hall and Abule –Egba, amongst others.