Be ambassadors of HIV/AIDS prevention, lawmakers charged

The AIDS Health Care Foundation (AHF) has called on lawmakers to be advocates of HIV and AIDS preventive measures in their respective constituencies.
Its Advocacy and Marketing Manager Mr. Steve Aborisade, made the appeal yesterday during a presentation of condoms and condom dispensers at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Aborisade said it was crucial to engage the parliamentarians, noting that they represented various constituencies across the country with policies and programmes designed to impact on the lives of citizens.
He also stressed that treatment and prevention of HIV and AIDS through the use of condoms must be put into consideration as cases of new infection of the scourge among the young population were been recorded.
“AHF wants Nigerians to embrace the use of condoms, the challenge we have of HIV is of treatment and prevention, if the adult population use condoms we will definitely prevent new infections,” he said.
Aborisade also urged the legislators to make policies that would ensure free access to condoms and at a subsidised rate, saying this will prevent infections, unwanted pregnancies and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Responding, the Chairman, House Committee on HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control, Davematics Ombugadu, assured of the federal government’s commitment to end AIDS by 2030, according to UNAIDS global vision 90-90-90.
Ombugadu, who is the member representing Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon /Wamba, further pledged the committee’s readiness to partner and support the programme in states and local government areas across the county.
Also speaking, Rep Peter Akpatason, Chairman, House Committee on Civil Society Organisations and Development Partners, commended the foundation on its willingness to work with parliamentarians in rural communities.

 

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