The State Agency For the Control of HIV/AIDS (ABSACA) joined other States and Countries to celebrate the 2020 Valentine’s day, which is marked annually on the 14th day of February to celebrate romantic love, making it popular for couples to spend time together. It is also known as a day traditionally associated with red ❤️, romance, flowers, candy, other sweet things as well as the exchange of cards.
Speaking at ShopRite, Umuahia, the Project Manager/Executive Secretary of the Abia State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS( ABSACA), Dr Ajike Eme kalu said that in celebration of Valentine’s day, in most cases, people go beyond the the motive, engaging in much risky behaviours that predispose them to the contractiion HIV.
He noted that the primary concern of the State Government under the leadership of Dr Okezie lkpeazu was to ensure that Abians and other inhabitants play safe and remain HIV negative.
Dr Ajike informed that the Agency was working simultaneously in different eatery joints in the State Capital such as ShopRite, De Choice, Jovit and De Latinos at night to sensitize people on the topical issues of HIV/ AIDS, free HIV Counseling and Testing, escortion of those that tested positive to the health facilities for immediate commencement of treatment and distribution of protective materials to ensure zero new infections.
The SACA boss also noted that the State HIV prevalence rate which was 3.9% has drastically reduced to 2.1%; all hands must be on deck, he said to ensure zero new infections hence the Local Government Action Committee on AIDS LACAs are working in the 17 LGAs in the State to ensure grass root sensitization.
The programme was also supervised by The National Agency For the Control of HIV/ AIDS (NACA).
