In its efforts at curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS, the Ogun State Government has embarked on regular youth empowerment, identification of key population, aggressive community HIV testing, strong referral linkage of identified cases, engagement of media to transmit prevention and other HIV related messages among others, towards achieving epidemic control.

          The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker made this known today in Abeokuta, at a press conference organised by the Ogun State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OGSACA), in commemoration of 2021 World AIDS Day, with the theme, “End Inequalities, End Pandemics, End AIDS", noting the need to address the growing inequalities in accessing essential HIV devices.

          Coker, represented by the Executive Secretary, OGSACA, Dr. Kehinde Fatungase said AIDS epidemics is having a devastating impact on young women and girls in Sub-saharan Africa, with 4,500 adolescent girls and young women of age 15 to 24 get infected every week and expressed optimism that the strategies being mapped out by OGSACA would help bring down the prevalence rate in the State.

          The Commissioner disclosed that UNAIDs Global Aids Strategy for 2021-2026 provides a clear and effective guidance on what needs to be done to create fairer societies, which would get the world back on track and end the AIDS epidemic, as a public health threat by 2030.

          She emphasised that the strategy aims to put people at the centre, remove social and structural barriers that prevent people from accessing HIV services, empower communities to lead the way, as well as strengthen and adapt systems as they work for people who were most acutely affected by inequalities, and fully mobilise the resources needed to end AIDs.

          Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Alhaji Gambo Aliu, represented by the South West coordinator, Mrs. Ronke Adeoye charged OGSACA to penetrate the rural areas and get those infected with the virus, with a view to giving them necessary support and care.

          Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Startegy, represented by the Director, Production Services Department of the Ministry, Mr. Waheed Adesina pledged continued support for OGSACA, towards achieving formidable publicity and awareness for the agency’s activities and programmes on various electronic media in the State.