Dear You!, What are you doing to make a difference today?

Today is the World HIV/AIDS day 2019 and the theme for this year is “Communities make the difference”.In Nigeria, several interventions are being exercised in an attempt to end the HIV scourge totally. Though, a lot of advances have been made, the scourge remains with us like our shadow. Hian, wetin we go do to take end this gbege like dis?🙆🙆

Today, the youths still form part of communities that reject HIV interventions, refusing to even listen to the messages. Nobody wan die. yes I Sabi, but the thing wey person no sabi, na him dey kill am pass. Who no know make e know.😥😢😢😢😢

Going forward, behavioral changes need to be made to increase success rate of HIV prevention, intervention and case management across Communities, One Community at a time.

Did you know that;

HIV medicines are available to help people with HIV live long, healthy lives and prevent HIV transmission.?

Also, effective HIV prevention methods, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), are available.?

People can take prophylaxis when they suspect that they have engaged or about to engage in a risky activity that can be a likely source of HIV infection.

With increased Awareness, more persons are taking prevention seriously and as well, providing support for survivors, while eliminating stigmatization of people living with HIV.Communities are a unique force behind the success of the HIV response.

Yesterday, while on an Awareness Walk and Community Based Testing in Èbúté Metta, the resistance and hesitance towards HIV testing was most displayed by young people. Some wanted to collect condoms yet never wanted to get tested. Funny enough, some young guys still asked if they could test whether the condoms were original by having sex with our Volunteers. Oríṣiríṣi, FREE test, FREE condom, man still want FREE gbensh. Oga o, nothing wey Musa eye no go see for gate😏

The World Health Organization has 5 key messages today. Good news abound 😆👂 Let’s read further:

1. Today 4 in 5 people with HIV get tested, and 2 in 3 get treatment: communities played a major role in achieving this success.

2. WHO recommends countries to adopt community-based HIV testing, prevention, treatment and care as a core strategy.

3. Community-based HIV treatment and monitoring saves money and reduces workloads for doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals.

4. Expanding the role of communities and community-based health care will help countries meet global HIV and UHC targets.

5. Community and civil society engagement must remain a key strategy to boost primary health care.

The roles that Communities play in HIV prevention and case management cannot be overemphasized.

Kudos to all CSOs, Government and Non-governmental Organizations taking the bold step in addressing the HIV scourge Community by Community.

Happy World HIV/AIDS Day. What difference are you making in your Community today?

S

Sijuade Akinyemi-Eshilokun is a Community Health Educator & Advocate. He is the Founder/Executive Director of the Health Volunteers Nigeria Initiative.