By – Martha Igbiks
The need to increase awareness on HIV Self Testing and Pre-exopsure Profilaxis (PrEP) Communication Strategy were the major thrust of the 3 day Training, organised by National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, South-South Zonal office, held at Asaba, Delta State, penultimate week.
Declaring the workshop open, Delta State Commissioner for Information, Hon Charles Aniagwu commended NACA, the various State SACA’S with their Implementing Partners for the robust job done so far within the HIV space,in sensitizing the populace with the required knowledge in reducing incidences of new infection and the management of the epidemic generally.
Hon Charles Aniagwu noted that, the training was timely as it will sensitize the public more on HIV Self Testing and PrEP, encouraging those ill to access treatment,adding that,only healthy people can contribute to societal development.
In her opening remarks, the NACA’S South South Zonal Coordinator, Dr Uduak Daniel, was excited that training on the National HIV Self Testing and PrEP Communication Strategy was first held in her zone, after the National launched it in January this year, thereby, cascading the strategy to the States in the zone.
Dr Uduak Daniel pointed that, the objective of the training among others, will build the capacity of the media, stakeholders and partners on the implementation of the strategy in the zone as it will be applied through their programming and reportage, adding that, it will also re- invigorate the existing stakeholders support towards ventilating salient HIV related issues.
Also speaking, the Delta State Team Lead of Caritas, Nigeria, Dr Dorcas Magbadelo disclosed that, over 68000 people are currently recieving lifelong and life saving ART in treatment facilities in Delta State.
Explaining further, Dr Dorcas Magbadelo stated that, out of the 68000 People Living with HIV ( PLHIV), about 98.4% of them are 100% retained in care and those retained in care are about 96% who have achieved viral suppression.
In his speech at the event, the Coordinator of Network of People Living with HIV/AIDs in Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, Mr Chrisopher Ogbene commended NACA for partnering his association and Caritas for their support in attaining 96%, viral suppression in the State as well as the Ministry of Women Affairs for providing them with starter packs to alleviate the financial burden on his members.
There were goodwill messages at training from implementing partners(IPs) including, Chief of Party, Jhpiego, Phi360 Rise/Choice and his counter, Phi360/AHPIN and the Chairperson, South South Media Advocacy Group among other stakeholders and well as paper presentations on Overview of the National HIVST and PrEP Communication Strategy, Understanding the Communication Strategy Matrix and Theory that drives the Strategy: Exploring the core problem and the changes to address the identified problem, Discussions and group work.
Highpoints of the event was a drama performance on HIV by the Delta State Youth Corpers.