The project manager of Hacey, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Mr Bamidele Oyewumi, has observed that critical reproductive education cannot match up with the increase in sexual activities among the people, warning Nigerians not to treat voluntary test for HIV/AIDS with levity.
He underscored the need for all regardless of gender, status and age to embrace undergoing medical test to ascertain their HIV/AIDS status.
Oyewumi, who spoke with journalists during the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon held at the Volleyball Court, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, in partnership with Hacey, noted that it is important for everyone to know their HIV status, because it will afford them the opportunity to take the necessary steps in protecting themselves and their loved ones.
He stated: “While sexual activities are on the increase, the reproductive health education is not meeting up with the numbers; so we are using this means to sensitise the people on how to stop the trend. Getting tested is the first step in taking control of our health and preventing the spread of HIV.”
Oyewumi further contended that the programme is targeted to reach out to more than one third of the runners, providing them information about the HIV/AIDS and its management.
According to him, “for this year, we are in partnership with the organisers of the marathon to provide and implement a free HIV screening for the marathoners. One of our major goals is to ensure that one third of the marathoners know their status.
“The theme of this year’s race is`Run to End HIV’ because according to available statistics, HIV/AIDS is growing rapidly among young people because of their increasing sexual activities. The programme would target over 85 per cent of the runners providing them with first hand information on how to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.
“We want the larger percentage to get tested to know their status and arm them with information about everything they need to know about the deadly disease HIV/AIDS.
“People need to know how they can also contract HIV/AIDS apart from sexual activities, of which includes blood transfusion, blood screening, inappropriate handling of sharp objects among others.
“We also supply materials containing information about HIV/AIDS for information about all they need to know. Those with HIV/AIDS are sometimes more healthy if they follow their health regime properly.
“HIV/AIDS positive people can participate in the marathon and we even want to encourage them to run, because they are sometimes healthier than those that are negative because of their antiviral drugs that they are using, “Oyewumi posited.
One of the marathoners, Edjuto Richard ovie said: “I never thought I would get tested, but now I know my status and I can take care of myself. I am so thankful for the work that is being done to make testing accessible to everyone.”
Another marathoner, Lateef Ramon stated: “We are so grateful to the organisers for their work. Before this campaign, many people were afraid to get tested because of the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. Now, they know that testing is confidential and that it is important for their health.”
In her remarks, the executive director of Hacey, Rhoda Robinson, expressed gratitude to members for their support of the organisation’s HIV/AIDS testing campaign, stressing that “I am so proud of the work that our members have done, and I am confident that we will be able to make a real difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”
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