By Evelyn Omotoye
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As part of the activities marking the 2018 World AIDS Day, the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, at the weekend flagged off the HIV Testing Services (HTS) in the state.

This according to the governor became imperative so as to ensure people do not continue to live in ignorance but be given easy access to the HIV test for them to know their status.

The governor represented by his deputy, Hon Agboola Ajayi urged the public to come out and present themselves for testing which he said is offered free in all the government hospitals and outlets.

“It is hightime people came out to find out their status. It is by doing so they can know what next to do. For those who are positive, they don’t need to be stigmatised but they should access the free treatment and care provided by our government.

“For this with negative status, then the day might be a day of commitment to abstinence and delay of sexual debut, while to some, it would be a commitment of fidelity to a patner

“There would also be a commitment towards consistent and correct use of condom for casual sex. It is my candid hope that as we all live up to our various commitments, we will be able to advantage over the HIV/AIDS epidermic”, he said.

Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro stated that the global event which started 30years ago is to create awareness that HIV/AIDS is real and for the people to know their status and protect themselves from being infected or prevent the spread of the infection.

He added “HIV/AIDS is no longer a killer disease with the level we have got now because it can be well managed like some other deadly diseases. So patients can live normal life as long as they take their medications seriously with balanced dietary plans”.

The Project Manager, ODSACA, Dr. Adedayo Adegbulu thanked the government for consistently making up to the annual event to commemorate the world AIDS Day and further strengthening the agency to enhance performance.

He stated that the HTS is made available at all the electoral wards to enable easy access for people especially those at the grassroots and special attention targeted at some selected group of people due to their nature of trade, urging victims to present themselves to be linked immediately to support, care and treatment to ensure they live longer and healthier lives.

The Vocal Officer of ODSACA at the state Ministry of Education, Mrs Aderonke Adebayo stated that the Family Life HIV Education in the curriculum of the secondary school students has been helpful in teaching the adolescents total abstinence so as to prevent them from contracting the disease.

Also speaking with the newsmen, the state coordinator of the Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, (NEPWHAN) , Prince Adesina Aladelusi  thanked the governor for supporting the initiative since its inception, encouraging his members to live a healthy lifestyle and take their drugs religiously to promote longevity.

At the converging point at the popular MKO Abiola democracy park, the programme which had on the city trek various groups of civil societies,  government officials including the ODSACA chairman, Hon Ifedayo Abegunde, students among others, took off at the government house ground.

The event also featured dance, talk on the ABC of HIV /AIDS which the acronym for “Abstinence, Be faithful to your partner and consistent and correct usage of condom”. Demonstration of use of condom for protection by the founder of Kids and Teens Concern, Mr. Martin-Mary Falana was also part of the programme.

Thereafter, HIV Testing Service stand were mounted at strategic locations in the market area to counsel and test people for free.