HIV screening: 16 persons test positive in Total project in Asaba
About 16 persons, 10 females, 6 males), have tested positive to HIV/AIDS in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The persons were discovered during the Total Nigeria Plc free HIV/Tuberculosis and malaria preventive education and screening programme.
Speaking at the event, Executive Director, Strategy, Mr. Jefferson Nnamani, who represented the Managing Director, said the company was committed to impacting positively to the lives of Nigerians through healthy education on preventive measures against HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
According to him, “our fight against HIV/AIDS is to protect our host communities, employee families, organisation, and society in general from the devastating challenge of these diseases”
He said the group, under the programme, had trained 23 on global approach, who will now carry out sensitisation on their communities and created the awareness needed to help prevent the diseases, adding that the company had so far been launched in 19 states of the country.
“It is our conviction that achieving an AIDS free- generation is possible; this can happen with sustained financial, political and selfless commitment from us all,” he pointed out.
In his speech while flagging off the launch, the Secretary to Delta State Government (SSG), Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, lauded Total Nigeria for embarking on the education programme.
While saying that the programme was in line with the agenda of the State Government, he disclosed that a bill on HIV/AIDS prevention and education was already before the State House of Assembly and would soon be passed into law.
According to him, “Delta State has very low percent rate of HIV/AIDS. It will continue to be committed through Delta SACA to improve on sensitisation of the people.”
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, represented by the permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Sunday Otobo, commended Total Nigeria for the sensitisation and free HIV/AIDS testing.
He advised the populace to abstain from pre-marital sex, be faithful to their spouses and always use condom when necessary.
Corporate Affair Manager, Mr. Albert Mabuyaku, enjoined all to be safety conscious and avoid smoking, driving without seat belt and switching off electrical appliances while leaving office.
According to him, “you must observe this safety tips; “Safety for me, you and all.
Welcoming participants, Dr. Charles Ngeribara, General Manager, Total Upstream, said the main objectives of the launch was to create and increase awareness of HIV/AIDS and other diseases with the aim of bringing free test to the general public.
He said the two-week programme that ended yesterday enable them to offer free HIV/AIDS test to hundreds of persons in Asaba.
While urging members of the public to take advantage of the programme to know their HIV/AIDS status, he advised the public to change their behaviour and embrace healthy living.
In the same way, while lecturing on the community preventive education, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS, Mr. Gbenga Alabi, whose organisation was in partnership with Total Nigeria for the launch of the programme, said it was a way to assist society against the challenge of HIV/AIDS and other related diseases and urged all to embrace behavioural change.
