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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
As preparations gears up to commemorate the 2024 International Condom Day, a Non Governmental Organization, (NGO), AIDS Healthcare Foundation, (AHF) Nigeria, has urged the general public to use condoms to prevent HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.
The foundation made this call in a statement signed by the Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Steve Aborishade and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.
AHF Nigeria Country Program Director, Dr. Echey Ijezie, quoting from the World Health Organization record said over 1 million people globally acquire an STI every day, and 117 million new HIV infections since 1990 have been averted thanks to condoms.
“This is why, on ICD and beyond, the world must remember that condoms are safe, sexy, and essential to ending HIV/AIDS.”
While describing it as good news that condoms are still the best option for helping people and their partners keep intimate times safer and fun, the country director urged the public to use it.
He said as part of activities for this year’s celebration which comes up on February 13, a day preceding Valentine’s Day, AHF Nigeria shall be holding a road walk starting from the AHF Nigeria Benue Program Office at 10, Jona Jang Crescent, Makurdi, to terminate at the Tito gate area of the city.
He said during the walk, the organization in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Program (NASCP), the Lagos state AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) and the National Youth Network on HIV/AIDS Population and Development (NYNETHA) would hold a youth engagement and public education on condom to harp on the need for correct and consistent use of the commodity and also distribute free condoms to the people.
According to him, AHF is also strategically targeting the youth population with messages of abstinence, but for those who are unable to abstain, to use condom consistently and correctly.
“The youth engagement will be through Twitter Spaces and a dedicated podcast that is being produced with contents generated from young people in Abuja, Benue, Cross River and Nasarawa states.
“The emphasis on reaching both the adult and youth population with condom education stems from the need to create and expand access to accurate information that support safer sexual practices in the population, which can halt the tide of new infections being recorded.’’ Ijezie said,
He further noted that annually, on February 13, International Condom Day gives people around the world a chance to receive free condoms and essential information about proper condom use and other sexual health issues.
“On ICD 2024, we urge everyone worldwide to remember that condoms save lives and remain the best option for preventing HIV, other sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancies.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global non-profit organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 1.9 million people in 46 countries of the world.
