From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
To mark the 2024 World AIDS Day (WAD), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, has put the HIV global infection rate at 4,000 per week, stressing the need for enhanced preventive measures, particularly among young women and adolescent girls who are mostly at risk.
AHF Africa Bureau Chief, Dr. Penninah Iutung, stated this in a statement signed by the Marketing and Advocacy Manager, Steve Aborishade, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.
Dr Iutung said: “On this World AIDS Day, we emphasize the urgent need to enhance HIV prevention efforts, particularly for young women and adolescent girls who are at significant risk, with around 4,000 new HIV infections recorded globally each week.”
He also stressed the need to prioritize the use of condoms, saying “With the introduction of innovative prevention tools like the Dapivirine vaginal ring to Lenacapvir, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), the ability to halt new transmissions has never been greater.”
AHF Africa Bureau Chief also noted that increased funding for HIV/AIDS, community-led initiatives, and favorable policies to fight stigma and discrimination remained crucial for expanding access to prevention and treatment, especially for at-risk groups and in the global effort to control AIDS.
According to the statement, AHF Nigeria, Country Programme Director (CPD), Dr. Echey Ijezie, said ‘’In Nigeria, AHF is particularly reinforcing the need to embrace Comprehensive age-appropriate Sexuality Education (CSE), to empower adolescents and young people with skills and knowledge to negotiate safer sexual behaviors, with the population being the most at risk to STIs including HIV/AIDS.”
The Organization, in the statement titled “It’s Not Over until AIDS is Defeated” said in recognition of World AIDS Day 2024 on December 1, AHF Nigeria will host a commemorative event at the Water Fountain, by Nwaniba Street roundabout, in the city center of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state on December 2, 2024.
“Despite decades of progress, around 40 million people globally are living with HIV, more than half of whom are women and girls, with approximately 1.3 million new infections reported each year, according to UNAIDS.
“Stigma and discrimination continue to keep individuals from seeking essential care, and many key populations face substantial barriers to accessing treatment, he lamented, adding that “this World AIDS Day event will spotlight these challenges, emphasizing the need to keep HIV/AIDS a priority on national and global public health agendas.”