By Fatima Muraina
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Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDs, ODSACA, has embarked on a mobile HIV testing services across the MDAs.
The ODSACA Communication Officer, Bosede Opeyemi made this known yesterday at the premises of Owena Press Limited, publisher of The Hope, where the agency team conducted tests on the staffers.
Opeyemi said the state has launched an Anti Retroviral treatment surge with a lead partner ,APIN public Initiatives to help in finding PLHIV to place them on treatment across the 18 local government areas in the state.
She explained that only 26,623 out of the total number of people living with the virus are receiving treatment leaving a treatment gap of 247 people yet to access care in the state.
This, she estimated showed a treatment gap which is currently at 99 percent which needs to be filled to eradicate HIV in Ondo state.
While calling of those affected by the virus to avail themselves for treatment, Opeyemi further stated that a One Stop Shop (OSS) has been launched at the ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for them to get treatment.
The ODSACA Councillor, Comrade Babalola Oluwatosin added that the exercise was conducted to test for new HIV infections and to know those still living with the virus for easy access to treatment.
He said the mobile testing service became necessary to take it to the door steps of civil servants whom he said do not have time for the testing.
He advised people to continue to play safe and abstain totally from sex or make use of condom if at all they can not take to the instructions to avoid getting infected with the virus.
