Edo SACA Tasks Residents on HIV/AIDS Status

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (Edo SACA) has urged residents to take advantage of the testing centres across the state to ascertain Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) status.

The call was made by the Executive Director, Edo SACA, Mrs Flora Oyakhilomen, at an event organised by the agency to commemorate the National HIV Testing Day in Uselu Market, Egor Local Government Area in the state.

She said, “Free HIV testing is ongoing across the state’s 18 LGAs, with nine testing centres spread across Benin City. Edo SACA will not relent in its responsibilities to sustain awareness in the state, as part of measures to reduce its prevalence rate.”

Oyakhilomen reiterated Governor Godwin Obaseki’s commitment to reducing the scourge through intensive enlightenment campaigns in the state, noting that the campaigns were designed to encourage more people to get checked and access care and support.

The Board Chairman, Edo SACA, Dr Alex Okoh, said there was need for people to be tested, adding that persons who test positive will be directed to the nearest centre to access free treatment and anti-retroviral drugs.