Towards abating the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the Ogun State Government has carried out HIV awareness campaign, free counselling and testing to reduce its prevalence to the barest minimum in the State.

        The Executive Director, Ogun State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OGSACA), Dr. Kehinde Fatungase, made this known during the HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) outreach in Siun, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.

 Fatungase, represented by the Head of Prevention Unit in the Agency, Mrs. Olusolape Oguntade said the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS), revealed that the prevalence of HIV in the State stands at 1.6, noting that the campaign would help the State achieve zero prevalence by year 2030.

        He stated that the HCT and check for blood pressure (BP), had provided opportunity for people to know the causes and prevention of the virus, as well as their health status, noting that a total number of 97 beneficiaries, consisting of 87 females and 10 males were tested and given free drugs.

 “This awareness campaign on the prevention of HIV will enable people to know their health status, treatment and how to curb the spread of HIV, while there is opportunity for them to know their blood pressure level’’, he said.

    He added that the Agency would ensure proper monitoring of anyone who tested positive, with a follow up of administering Antiretroviral (ART) drugs at any government health facility.

    On her part, the Manager, Local Action Committee on AIDS (LACA), in the LGA, Mrs. Aikulola Mustapha, lauded the effort of the State government and OGSACA for the opportunity accorded the people, adding that the exercise would go a long way in reducing the spread of the virus.

   Two of the beneficiaries of the screening exercise, Mr. Fatai Adekunle and Mrs. Abosede Ademuyiwa who later spoke in an interview with OGIS, commended the organiser for the relentless approach in combating the scourge of HIV in the State.