AVAC Fellows solicits more support to combat HIV
AVAC Fellows, a non-governmental organization has called on government, donor agencies and other segments of the society to offer more support in implementing the new phase of Human Immune Virus (HIV) prevention.
The Director of Greater Women Initiative for Health and Living Right (GWIHR), Advocate Josephine Aseme, representing the AVAC Fellows, stressed that it would be a great achievement if the government, media and other agencies up the ante in offering support for the programme aimed at reducing the spread of the incurable virus.
Ms. Aseme in a recent media chat in Uyo revealed that the prevalence rate of HIV is higher among sex workers, Men having sex with Men (MSM), Women having Sex with Women, transgender and others.
She also noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 26, 2021 recommended Dapirivirine Vaginal Ring as an additional prevention method for HIV, and mentioned other preventive methods to include Pre-exposure Proplylaxis (PrEps ) orally taken by HIV negative persons who are at risk of acquiring HIV to protect themselves from HIV infections.
“An evidence shows that when PrEps is taken consistently and correctly it reduces the risk to near-zero. Injectable Long-Acting Cabotegrarir (CAB-LA) is an injectable PrEps prevention strategy method under regulatory review that involves receiving an injection every two months of the antiretroviral Cabotegravir which is safe and effective at reducing HIV risk among gay men, Transgender women, and Cisgender women. Another Proven prevention is the Dapirivirine vaginal Ring is an Intravaginal Silicone Ring developed by the International Partnership of Microbicidies (IPM) for HIV Prevention,” she further explained.
Highlighting the implications of less commitment of HIV prevention, Ms. Josephine stated that that poor uptake of service, low coverage of service as result of lack of knowledge service point , poor knowledge of the available Prevention options and its benefits can limit the committment as well as limited Prevent Technology option and11a also Increase incidence of new infections.
She suggested Community -based Prevention health education and counselling , Expansion of HIV Prevention intervention towards key population, and added that prevention intervention should be scaled up at the community level to target different key population groups including adolescent and young women as ways that can helps in curbing the spread of the virus.
She also called on the government and other agencies in the state to key into the fight financially and also develop a policy guidelines review that will support the movement and also regulate review of licensed application to checkmate shop that sell fake drugs, design pilot project and Communication campaign with active engagement of civil societies in emphasizing individual choice and prioritising specific groups and investing more in media and entertainment platform, developing community specific IEC materials that is simplified in local context and scaled up community awareness of available HIV Prevention than treatment.
She tasked the media on the need to play their roles effectively in conducting public education, increasing access to prevention technologies and advocating for the prevention than tackling for the treatment of the virus.
The lead and focal person Mr. Michael Akanji spoke on the review of Human Immune Virus (HIV ) Prevention in Nigeria and its Challenges including voluntary medical male circumcision and abuse of condoms.
A report by the National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA) indicates that Akwa Ibom State has the highest prevalence rate with 5.5 percent.
