- Dr. Gambo Aliyu of NACA encourages Nigerians to actively seek HIV services to manage the virus and control its spread
- NACA conducts a workshop for media advocates to promote HIV awareness, prevention, and ending AIDS by 2030 in Nigeria
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) is encouraging Nigerians to demand HIV services in the country actively. Dr. Gambo Aliyu, the Director-General of NACA, made this call during a workshop for social media influencers, bloggers, and journalists on HIV/AIDS in Abuja.
Dr. Aliyu emphasized that while there is currently no cure for HIV, it can be successfully managed, and people living with the virus should be aware of this fact. He urged individuals to seek HIV services at healthcare facilities, emphasizing that it not only benefits them but also helps control the spread of HIV in the country.
Aliyu stressed that as Nigeria approaches its HIV control goals for 2030, identifying almost 100% of those with the virus is crucial. To achieve this, he highlighted the importance of individuals developing the habit of actively seeking HIV services and knowing their HIV status. Those who test positive should demand treatment services.
NACA’s workshop for media advocates aimed to provide them with a better understanding of HIV, its prevention, and the agency’s goal of ending AIDS by 2030. The agency recognizes the influential role of social media in shaping public opinion and believes that well-informed media advocates can help combat the spread of misinformation, fake news, and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS.
NACA also called on Nigerians to take advantage of new and emerging approaches to controlling and preventing HIV, such as HIV self-testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).