800,000 screened for HIV in Ondo

The Ondo State government has disclosed that over 800,000 residents of the state have been screened for HIV/AIDS this year.

Secretary to the State Government and Chairman, Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OSACA) Dr. Aderotimi Adelola said the residents were screened at various medical and health centres in all the 18 Local Government Areas in the state.

Speaking at a Programme to mark this year’s World AIDS Day, Dr Adelola said the state will soon enforce its anti HIV/AIDS laws enacted by the state House of Assembly, saying that the state government was working towards ensuring a zero HIV infection in the state.

He stated that OSACA had embarked on consistent HIV/AIDS counseling in all nooks and crannies of the state, as well as expansion of HIV counselling and testing centres on assumption of office.

He maintained that OSACA with the support of other stakeholders was implementing strategic action plans in order to promote behavioural change, ensure care and support for people living with the HIV.

The Chairman opined that the state had over the years successfully articulated policies and programmes to sustain the efforts of the agency in the fight against the scourge.

Adelola, who encouraged the people to know their HIV status, observed that the law relating to HIV in the state empowered OSACA to enforce HIV related laws, saying it was a severe offence for hoteliers not to put condom packs in their rooms in order.