The Abia State Agency the Control of HIV/AIDS (ABSACA), has advocated the establishment of the one stop shop model of ABSACA at the 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia.
The Project Manager/Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr Ajike Eme Kalu disclosed this when he led other top Directors in the Agency on a courtesy call to the General Officer Commanding 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia.
Dr. Eme Kalu who said that ABSACA was at the barracks on an HIV sensitization routine, noted that the he has been in discussion with major stakeholders on the best way to domesticate the ABSACA unit at the Mdical Center in the barracks which would ease them the stress of looking for where to get tested for HIV as well as drugs and care for its treatment for anyone tested positive.
“We deem it very necessary to visit you people today. We need to reach out to you to sensitize you on this issue called HIV/AIDS. The reason why it’s become very important to sensitize you about this is because, as days go by, there are lots and lots of advancement.
As I’m talking to you now, we have developed a machanism that is capable of drying the virus to nothing and even go to the health center, the person will be tested negative, the person can no longer transmit it to a loved one even when you have an unprotected sex.
So it’s very important to key into this advancement in the HIV treatment.
It is no more a death sentence as it used to be, now the drugs are available and have no side effects,” said the ABSACA boss.
“That’s why we say, this is key and we cannot leave the military community out of the benefit of what is happening in the outside world.
That we must have to come and sensitize the military for them to understand that this is exactly what is happening in the outside world as far as this particular thing is concerned. That is why we are here today,” Dr. Eme Kalu disclosed.
Responding, the General Officer Commanding 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Brig. Gen. SB Kumapayi, who thanked Dr. Eme Kalu and his team for finding the army community worthy of such gesture promised to partner the Agency with a view to sensitizing on the advancement in the fight against the disease.
Brig. Gen. Kumapayi urged the Agency to extend sensitization visit to their Battalions in Ovim, Isuikwato, Owaza in Ukwa West as well as other Battalions in the State since they might not be able to travel down to Ohafia due to the engagements with duty.
He called for cooperation of the officers and men of the military, their wives and children to visit the Agency’s stands to get tested.
Addressing the officers and men before the testing proper, Dr. Eme Kalu advocated for protective sexual behaviour which he said, is the major preventive key as it prevents the virus almost 99.9 per cent.
ABIA ONLINE correspondent reports that Highlights of the visit were sensitization of officers and men of the Brigade on HIV AIDS prevention, testing and distribution of condoms.
