A non-government organisation, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), said on Tuesday it’s making arrangements to build a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Benue State and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja.
Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF, Steve Aborishade, stated this during an interaction with journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday after a road work explained that the clinic is to cater for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections in Nigeria
The AHF, along with other partners, participated in the road work, which was part of activities marking 2024 International Condom Day.
During the road work, thousands of condoms were distributed to passersby.
Aborishade stated that International Condom Day is usually celebrated on February 13th as a global event, a day before Valentine’s Day, in a bid to promote the prevention of STDs, including HIV and unwanted pregnancies, through free condom distribution, safer sex awareness events, and HIV testing services.
He said AHF is aware of what happens among young people during Valentine’s Day, hence the need to share love, and in sharing love, there is a lot of sex.
Dr Aborishade said that the purpose of marking the day was to advise young people to abstain from sex.
“But in a situation where they are not ready to abstain, they should always use a condom and use it properly.
He lamented rising cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV among the younger generation, adding that it is important to give the right education and information about safe sex.
“That is why International Condom Day is to reach out to people and educate young people to use condoms when having sex.
“Again, we also encourage young people to abstain from sex, which is the best decision, but the majority of young people can’t, and that’s why we are encouraging them to use condoms properly and frequently.”
“We are partnering with Apin, BENSACA, and a network of youth organisations to create awareness.
“The theme of this year’s celebration is “Just use it”. These condoms are being distributed today in seven states.
“We are also starting an STI clinic in June at AHF in Makurdi and Abuja, and it is strictly for STI treatment.
“Some people have STIs, and they don’t know they have them, but with the establishment of the clinic, people would have the opportunity to be attended to,” he said.
In her remarks, the state commissioner for women’s affairs and social development, Mrs Ann Itodo, commended AHF for creating awareness about safer sex and the need to control STIs among youths in the state.
Mrs Itodo, who was represented by the director of women in the ministry, Mrs Magdalene Doo, said that everyone must be involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other STs in the state.
Also speaking, the AHF Prevention Coordinator in the state, Mrs Amina Iyaji, maintained that the rate of STIs is reducing due to the activities of the organisation but said that more should be done to ensure a zero level of STIs in the state.
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