By Justina Auta
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, an NGO, has opened youth-focused Wellness Centres in Abuja and Benue.
Thus is to expand Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) prevention, testing and treatment services as infections rise among adolescents and young people.
Dr Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director, made this known at a media engagement in Abuja, ahead of the 2025 World AIDS Day (WAD) celebration.
Ijezie said that the establishment of centres was aimed at intensifying response to the rising tide of infections.
He said that the idea was to provide safe, youth-friendly spaces where young Nigerians can receive timely care, counselling and comprehensive sexual health support.
“AHF Nigeria recently opened a wellness centre in both Abuja and Benue, as a response to the rising waves of STIs among adolescents and young people.
“Our decision to programme for this population is the reason we are partnering with the Nasarawa State University, in order to expand access for students and empower other youths to take charge of their health,” he said.
According to him, the organisation will hold sensitisation exercise and campaign across states.
He said that there would also be free HIV testing, and distribution of condom and other items to the public, especially youths as part of the WAD celebration.
“The work to end HIV/AIDS is not over, which is evident by the 1.3 million new infections occurring globally each year.
“The commemoration will promote awareness, prevention, testing and care while showing solidarity with those impacted by HIV/AIDS in the community and beyond.
World AIDS Day is observed annually on Dec. 1,” he said.
He said that despite decades of progress in the fight against HIV, around 40 million people worldwide were living with the virus, with women and girls representing more than half of those affected.
“Stigma and discrimination continue to prevent many individuals from accessing essential care, while key populations face significant barriers to treatment.
“This WAD event will highlight these ongoing challenges and reinforce the importance of keeping HIV/AIDS at the forefront of national and global public health efforts,” he said.
He emphasised the pivotal role of the media in disseminating information and forming opinions in any society, urging them to amplify issues around HIV/AIDS, STI and other health challenges in the media space.
“Journalists have a huge impact on what societies understand about HIV/AIDS and how they perceive people who are affected by it,” he said.
Also, Martin Matabishi, AHF Africa Bureau Chief, said that Africa had made great strides against HIV.
Matabishi, however, said that rising infections, especially among adolescents and young women, indicated the fight was not over.
“To overcome disruption and truly transform the AIDS response, we must embrace inclusive health policies.
“There is a need to promote combination prevention, empower and meaningfully collaborate with communities to lead the fight against stigma and inequality.”
Meanwhile, Dr Temitope Ilori, Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) recently disclosed that Nigeria was on track to meet the 2030 target in ending the epidemic by 2030.
Ilori said that Nigeria had met two of the three 2030 global HIV targets, indicating significant progress in the country’s response to the epidemic and its efforts to improve HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 95-95-95 targets aims to ensure that by 2030, 95 per cent of all people living with HIV know their HIV status.
It also aims to ensure that 95 per cent of all people diagnosed with HIV receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 95 per cent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy achieve viral suppression. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
