The 2024 World AIDS Day celebration held at the Oguta council area of Imo State on Tuesday 31, December witnessed a large turnout as women, men and youths volunteered for testing to know their HIV status, unlike in the previous years, following the strong advocacy by the resource persons .
The 2024 World AIDS Day celebration kick started with a sensitization rally, to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, followed by a health talk which had the resource person, Dr. Mercy Duruaku address the audience on all they needed to know about HIV/AIDS and it’s preventive measures.
Speaking at the event organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) at the Oguta Civic Centre, Dr Kyrian Uchegbu, the Imo State Representative said that he is happy that the people are eager to know their HIV status by taking part in the free testing provided by the NDDC.
He said that the NDDC as an interventionist agency is assisting in the development of the nine oil producing states as well as improving the health of the communities by providing better health facilities.
“I’m happy today as our people have taken the advantage of the free testing to know their HIV Status. HIV is not a death sentence, and by knowing that helps you to live a more positive life. We are going to have another medical mission this 2025 like the one held in 2024 where those with different medical problems were treated, including surgeries were free of charge. NDDC will continue to provide health facilities in the oil producing communities of Oguta, Ohaji/ Egbema and Oru East because health is wealth”.
Also, Dr Kelechi Nwelu, Director Imo State office of the NDDC , said the same event is also going on in all the nine states. ” We are also running a deworming programme and we are going to do it this 2025 medical mission. Earlier we had a medical mission in Oguta for two months and we are going to do more. We are concerned about the health of our people and today is World AIDS Day, so knowing your status is important and we have the anti retroviral drugs available and it is free “.
The resource person, Dr Mercy Duruaku who spoke on how to prevent and how to manage HIV if contracted, said that the anti retroviral drugs will suppress the virus in the carrier from becoming AIDS.
” HIV does not kill , but what kills is the mindset of the infected person. But if you are positive to the virus all that is required is to take the anti retroviral drugs religiously which will suppress the virus and make you live well. You also have to adopt a positive lifestyle. HIV will not stop you from getting married .When you are taking your anti retroviral drugs at a stage you become uninfected because your immunity is high.” She said .
Speaking to participants at the event, they expressed their gratitude to NDDC for sponsoring the program and creating huge awareness about HIV/AIDS, adding that they would put into practice all that they have heard.
Highlight of the 2024 World AIDS Day celebration was the testing and counselling that had many tested.
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