Carnival Dry Run: UNFPA records zero HIV positive

By Ihesiulo Grace

21 November 2016

Health

Of the several hundred tested for HIV during the carnival dry run exercise in Calabar the Cross-River state capital, none was found to be HIV positive.

In a statement made available to our correspondent, the UNFPA Youth Program Officer, Dr. Araoyinbo Idowu, said “although none was tested positive but we need to engage FHI 360 more to ensure the positives are linked to services.”

Dr. Idowu said that during the exercise, which was flagged off by the state governor state, Prof. Senator Ben Ayade, and his wife, Dr. Linda Ayade, the UNFPA said it was able to do some HCT testing despite the challenges, set up two stands at the Millennium Park and Etekong Drive.

Dr. Idowu further said, they contributed condoms and gave out IEC materials but “we need to get the data tools up and running. The M&E training is tomorrow and with that we hope to strengthen the data management system. We didn’t record any injuries, volunteers were well engaged and coordinated thanks to the team on ground.”