The Nation Newspaper

Tag: HIV/AIDS

  • Agency screens 2000 for HIV/AIDS

    Lagos State AIDS Control Agency has screened 2000 market men and women for HIV and AIDS at Ebute Oluwo Fish Market in Epe.

    It was done under the agency’s free HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) programme.

    According to the market’s Baba Oja-General Ahaji Dauda Kayode, the turn-out was encouraging based on the market population.

    The market’s Iyalaje of the market, Mrs. Folashade Ojikutu, said women were the major beneficiary because about 95 per cent of the market population are women.

    According to her, men kill the fish but the women engage in the buying and selling, smoking of fish, crayfish, crabs, among others.

    This, she said, makes the Prevention of Mother- to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and AIDS awareness campaign important to their existence.

    “No one wants to die and leave her baby behind,” Mrs Ojikutu said.

    A trader, Mrs Muyinat Lawal, said the exercise would advance their health.

    “We also would want the government to institute micro-credit facility for our trade,” she said.

  • Agency takes HIV/AIDS counselling, testing to grassroots

    The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has screened some residents of Dopemu and Capitol Road in Agege, a suburb of Lagos.

    The agency said the exercise is to help residents know their HIV status.

    LSACA’s Director, Dr Oluseyi Temowo, represented by the Principal Health Educator, Mrs Olusola Adebambo during the HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) Community Outreach, said the state has 654 HIV Counselling and Testing sites, 47 anti-retroviral treatment (ART) and 342 Prevention of Mother-to–Child Transmission (PMTCT) sites providing HIV services.

    He said the government was on top of HIV prevention, stressing that it was partnering with stateholders in the private sector, especially non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and faith-based organisations, among others, to reduce the disease in the state.

    He described the turnout of residents as impressive, adding that people who missed the opportunity can still have the tests at the designated centres in Agege.

    Head of Dopemu community, Alhaji Shuaib Afogunlowo, said the exercise has enabled many of the residents to know their HIV status.

    “This is necessary because people are just going about without knowing their HIV status. The testing, however, has helped many people clear all doubts about their status. Anybody who tests positive can also receive treatment. HIV/AIDS is not a death sentence,” he said.

    Afogunlowo advised people not to run from taking the test because it is for their good. “I was also tested and it was negative,” he said.

    He thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for making the testing and counselling possible.

    Chairman, World Health Organistion (WHO) Committee on Dopemu Primary Health Care (PHC), Mr Johnson Oguntan, said the benefits of the programme to the area were immense because HIV is a dreaded disease, and as such needs timely intervention.

    “It is an opportunity that we must not allow to pass us by. This is why I also submitted myself to the test,” Oguntan said.

    The community, he said, had sensitised the people through letters written to various religious groups, especially churches and mosques, among others so that people can come for the test.

  • Village head arrested for defiling, infecting girl with HIV

    The Kano State Hisbah Board said it has arrested a Village Head in Danbatta Local Government Area of the state (names withheld) for allegedly defiling a 13-year- old girl.

    The Director General of the board, Dr Abba Sufi, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Tuesday, also said the Village Head was suspected to have infected his victim with HIV virus.

    He said the suspect was arrested on Monday following complaint from parents of the girl.

    Sufi said the case had since been forwarded to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II who ordered for his immediate suspension from office.

    “The girl was to be given out in marriage to her suitor, but three days to the wedding ceremony, the girl was tested and found to be HIV positive.”

    “When interrogated, she said the suspect was the person, who infected her as he had been sleeping with her, “ he said.

    He said that the suspect had also been tested and found to be a carrier of the deadly virus.

    Sufi said the suspect would soon be charged to court.

  • HIV/AIDS

    The term AIDS is an acronym that stands for “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome”. It is acquired because the victims do not inherit the condition, but contract it. Immune deficiency means that the victim’s natural bodily defense mechanisms are unable to function properly, and “syndrome” refers to the combination of different abnormalities or diseases making up this condition.

    AIDS is a complex of diseases and symptoms resulting from unexplained immune deficiency; caused by a retrovirus, culminating in a “mixed-bag” of life-threatening opportunistic infections, which invariably results in death. The retrovirus that causes AIDS is known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with types I and II already isolated.

    Although there have been wide speculations and insinuations as to the origin of the virus (HIV), the fact still remains that the first cases of AIDS were diagnosed in North America, Europe and Central Africa about the same time in 1981. Since then, cases are being reported all over the world and most countries now have people with “full-blown” AIDS as well as carriers infected with the virus. It occurs in about 1 to 10% of the population and the incubation period is 4 to 10 years.

    The virus has been isolated mostly from semen, vaginal secretion and blood. It is generally believed to be contracted through sexual intercourse, transfusion of contaminated blood, use of un-sterile instruments such as needles, blades and catheters, trans-placental infection, organ transplant, tattooing and circumcision as well as breast-feeding.

    The major characteristic feature of AIDS is weight loss of about 10kg within 1 month without a known cause. Other symptoms include chronic diarrhoea, persistent cough, skin infections, oro-pharyngeal candidiasis, swollen lymph glands and night sweating.

    Prevention

    Prevention of AIDS is achieved through avoidance of casual sex, and other factors that may predispose to HIV infection; as well as sterile procedures in clinico-surgical practices.

    Treatment and Control

    Before recommending our treatment and control packages for HIV/ AIDS, it is pertinent to ask the following questions:

    1. Why do outbreaks of serious infectious diseases leave some people devastated and others free?
    2. If some people are known to be carriers and could go around with the virus for up to 15 years before they physically breakdown, couldn’t there be ways of helping to cleanse the virus from the system before it manifests?
    3. Are the sufferer’s thoughts, aspirations and living habits not affecting the disease cycle as well as response to treatment?

    If yes, then in Holistic Lifecare, we are committed to total care of HIV/AIDS sufferers when they have just been tested and diagnosed positive, when they are still able to eat, drink and move around on their own, but not when they are expecting their funeral the next day!

    The Holistic Natural Remedy being suggested for restoring good health, vitality, and longevity in HIV/AIDS sufferers; is a combination of herbal, nutritional and psycho-social therapies at the appropriate time and in the right proportion. Notable among the useful herbs for HIV/AIDS are Aloe vera, Allium sativum, Harpagophytum zeyheri, Echinacea augustifolia and Zingiber officinale.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be.

  • HIV/AIDS

    The term AIDS is an acronym that stands for “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome”. It is acquired because the victims do not inherit the condition, but contract it. Immune deficiency means that the victim’s natural bodily defense mechanisms are unable to function properly, and “syndrome” refers to the combination of different abnormalities or diseases making up this condition.

    AIDS is a complex of diseases and symptoms resulting from unexplained immune deficiency; caused by a retrovirus, culminating in a “mixed-bag” of life-threatening opportunistic infections, which invariably results in death. The retrovirus that causes AIDS is known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with types I and II already isolated.

    Although there have been wide speculations and insinuations as to the origin of the virus (HIV), the fact still remains that the first cases of AIDS were diagnosed in North America, Europe and Central Africa about the same time in 1981. Since then, cases are being reported all over the world and most countries now have people with “full-blown” AIDS as well as carriers infected with the virus. It occurs in about 1 to 10% of the population and the incubation period is 4 to 10 years.

    The virus has been isolated mostly from semen, vaginal secretion and blood. It is generally believed to be contracted through sexual intercourse, transfusion of contaminated blood, use of un-sterile instruments such as needles, blades and catheters, trans-placental infection, organ transplant, tattooing and circumcision as well as breast-feeding.

    The major characteristic feature of AIDS is weight loss of about 10kg within 1 month without a known cause. Other symptoms include chronic diarrhoea, persistent cough, skin infections, oro-pharyngeal candidiasis, swollen lymph glands and night sweating.

    Prevention

    Prevention of AIDS is achieved through avoidance of casual sex, and other factors that may predispose to HIV infection; as well as sterile procedures in clinico-surgical practices.

    Treatment and Control

    Before recommending our treatment and control packages for HIV/ AIDS, it is pertinent to ask the following questions:

    1. Why do outbreaks of serious infectious diseases leave some people devastated and others free?
    2. If some people are known to be carriers and could go around with the virus for up to 15 years before they physically breakdown, couldn’t there be ways of helping to cleanse the virus from the system before it manifests?
    3. Are the sufferer’s thoughts, aspirations and living habits not affecting the disease cycle as well as response to treatment?

    If yes, then in Holistic Lifecare, we are committed to total care of HIV/AIDS sufferers when they have just been tested and diagnosed positive, when they are still able to eat, drink and move around on their own, but not when they are expecting their funeral the next day!

    The Holistic Natural Remedy being suggested for restoring good health, vitality, and longevity in HIV/AIDS sufferers; is a combination of herbal, nutritional and psycho-social therapies at the appropriate time and in the right proportion. Notable among the useful herbs for HIV/AIDS are Aloe vera, Allium sativum, Harpagophytum zeyheri, Echinacea augustifolia and Zingiber officinale.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be.

  • HIV/AIDS

    The term AIDS is an acronym that stands for “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome”. It is acquired because the victims do not inherit the condition, but contract it. Immune deficiency means that the victim’s natural bodily defense mechanisms are unable to function properly, and “syndrome” refers to the combination of different abnormalities or diseases making up this condition.

    AIDS is a complex of diseases and symptoms resulting from unexplained immune deficiency; caused by a retrovirus, culminating in a “mixed-bag” of life-threatening opportunistic infections, which invariably results in death. The retrovirus that causes AIDS is known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with types I and II already isolated.

    Although there have been wide speculations and insinuations as to the origin of the virus (HIV), the fact still remains that the first cases of AIDS were diagnosed in North America, Europe and Central Africa about the same time in 1981. Since then, cases are being reported all over the world and most countries now have people with “full-blown” AIDS as well as carriers infected with the virus. It occurs in about 1 to 10% of the population and the incubation period is 4 to 10 years.

    The virus has been isolated mostly from semen, vaginal secretion and blood. It is generally believed to be contracted through sexual intercourse, transfusion of contaminated blood, use of un-sterile instruments such as needles, blades and catheters, trans-placental infection, organ transplant, tattooing and circumcision as well as breast-feeding.

    The major characteristic feature of AIDS is weight loss of about 10kg within 1 month without a known cause. Other symptoms include chronic diarrhoea, persistent cough, skin infections, oro-pharyngeal candidiasis, swollen lymph glands and night sweating.

    Prevention

    Prevention of AIDS is achieved through avoidance of casual sex, and other factors that may predispose to HIV infection; as well as sterile procedures in clinico-surgical practices.

    Treatment and Control

    Before recommending our treatment and control packages for HIV/ AIDS, it is pertinent to ask the following questions:

    1. Why do outbreaks of serious infectious diseases leave some people devastated and others free?
    2. If some people are known to be carriers and could go around with the virus for up to 15 years before they physically breakdown, couldn’t there be ways of helping to cleanse the virus from the system before it manifests?
    3. Are the sufferer’s thoughts, aspirations and living habits not affecting the disease cycle as well as response to treatment?

    If yes, then in Holistic Lifecare, we are committed to total care of HIV/AIDS sufferers when they have just been tested and diagnosed positive, when they are still able to eat, drink and move around on their own, but not when they are expecting their funeral the next day!

    The Holistic Natural Remedy being suggested for restoring good health, vitality, and longevity in HIV/AIDS sufferers; is a combination of herbal, nutritional and psycho-social therapies at the appropriate time and in the right proportion. Notable among the useful herbs for HIV/AIDS are Aloe vera, Allium sativum, Harpagophytum zeyheri, Echinacea augustifolia and Zingiber officinale.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be.

  • NACA ready to check further spread of HIV/AIDS

    The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has pledged the readiness of the Federal Government to adopt stringent measures in order to check the spread of HIV/AIDS in every part of the country.

    Director General of the Agency, Prof. Tom Idoko gave the assurance during the flag-off ceremony of a free medical outreach made possible by the Federal Government at Edor and Ikom Town in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    The Director General who was represented by Dr. Miriam Ezekwe lauded stakeholders for their commitment toward the target of “zero new infection” and sued for synergy amongst levels of Government for effective coordination.

    Flagging off the exercise, the Chairman of Ikom Local Government, Cross River State, Pastor Ayimba Ayimba expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the choice of Ikom for the programme and assured of maximum cooperation for it expansion around the entire Local Government Area.

    Speaking, the Paramount Ruler of Ikom, His Royal Majesty Ntol Dr. Emang Peter Eku noted with delight the renewed zeal directed to combat the spread of HIV/ADS and other health issues and promised to mobilize the traditional institution to join the campaign.

    The free medical outreach which lasted for four days featured health talks, blood pressure and temperature checks, weight and height measurement, HIV counseling and testing, malaria test, deworming of children and blood sugar test, free consultation, drugs gift items and mosquito nets.

  • Free HIV/AIDS screening for community

    Free HIV/AIDS screening for community

    Efforts to reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have received a boost with an outreach programme in Mpape, a rustic settlement in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). VINCENT IKUOMOLA reports that the health programme, sponsored by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, in conjunction with the Subsidy Re-investment Programme (NACA-SURE-P) was aimed at attending to health needs of over one million residents.

    If the goal of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to eradicate HIV and AIDS by 2030 is anything to go by, humanity would heave a sigh of relief. To realise this objective, different groups and organisations have embarked on several health interventions aimed at reducing the spread of the scourge.

    In the circumstances, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the agency responsible for  control of HIV/AIDS in the country, in conjunction with the Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P) organised a medical outreach for residents of Mpape community, a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    To be part of efforts by the global community towards ending the spread of HIV and AIDS by the projected year, residents of Mpape community turned out en masse to  know their health status.

    The residents willingly made themselves available for the various tests during the programme. This was also made easy by the level of sensitisation carried out by the agency in collaboration with leaders of thought in the community.

    The old and the young, women and men of various age groups turned out for the exercise. Even the feeble and sick among them also came out to be tested. The scorching sun could not prevent them from trooping out. To them, what mattered most was knowing their status and this they did with joy. They queued and followed the instructions from the organisers.

    An official of the agency revealed that the turnout of residents for the programme indicates that the choice of Mpape was not a mistake, adding that its choice was as a result of its population density. He also said the programme aimed at taking care of the health needs of one million people within the FCT.

    Speaking to reporters on the importance of the exercise which was also carried out in other parts of the country, the Project Director of NACA-SURE-P, Dr Sebastian Wakdok said it was aimed at improving access, testing, counseling and treatment of HIV and AIDS.

    To Wakdok, the yearly outreach aimed at reaching out to a larger population of citizens around the country; describing it as largely successful as a multi-disease outreach.

    “We are in over 30 states. Last week, we started with about seven states and this week, we are taking on 11 states concurrently. Next week, we should be rounding off the programme. It’s a multi-disease outreach not only for HIV and AIDS. We also test them for diabetes, hypertension and other diseases.

    “There is a vision called the 9090 strategy whereby you test as much as 90 per cent of the population.

    “We treat those who are positive while those who are negative are advised to remain negative. So, this is one of the yearly outreaches that NACA adopts just as we did in 2014.

    “Those who are negative are encouraged to continue to be negative and those who have either high blood pressure, high level of sugar, malaria, hepatitis are linked to the appropriate health care. For children under five years and expectant mothers, we de-worm them and give them mosquito nets respectively.

    “Averagely, we are taking on two local governments in each of the states including the FCT. So, we are expecting to test at least between 7,000 and 10,000 of the residents to know their health status.

    “That means an average of 20,000 in two local governments in the 30 states. We are doing this not only under the HIV and AIDS programme. The programme is also funded from the proceeds that we got from Sure-P. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) funds some of the components of the project. So, we hope that when we pull together, we should be able to test at least one million Nigerians within the first phase of this programme,” he said.

    On the cost, the Project Director said: “It is actually cost-intensive in the sense that it involves various components. We collaborate with partners and the vendors who do the actual testing. We have to buy the test kits and the test kits include the first line, second line and third line test kits.

    “Mobilisation is carried out through the community chiefs, town criers, radio jingles and print and electronic media. We do this for people to come out because you need to generate demand”.

    Wakdok also revealed that the outreach has a treatment component to address the challenges of those that tested positive.”

    One of the beneficiaries, Mallam Ahmed Lawal of Gwari village, Mpape said the programme was a welcome development in that it will afford residents the opportunity to be tested free.

    While commending government’s efforts, Lawal observed that the need to get screened for HIV virus is very crucial in the fight against the pandemic. He also urged members of his community to embrace the NACA-SURE-P outreach programme in order to be sure of their HIV status.

  • NACA takes HIV/AIDS campaign to Southeast

    NACA takes HIV/AIDS campaign to Southeast

    The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has embarked on an aggressive enlightenment campaign to create awareness on HIV/AIDS and other prevalent diseases. The programme was tagged “Free Multi-disease Outreach.”

    The campaign aimed at curbing the spread of AIDS which has been on the increase recently due to emergence of other health challenges in the country.

    At the launch of one of such exercises in Njikoka Local Government Area in Anambra State, the Director-General of NACA, Prof. John Idoko who was represented by Mr. Moses Rock, attributed the recent rise in the spread of AIDS to lack of priority.

    Speaking, the Project Coordinator of Anambra State Agency for Control of AIDS (ANSACA) who was represented by Miss Ngozi Welumkalu commended NACA for the initiative, pledging the state’s effective collaboration with the agency.

    On his part, the Igwe of Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area, His Royal Highness (HRH), Igwe Mbamalu Okeke praised the Federal Government for providing Medicare at people’s doorsteps, promising that the traditional institution will do its best by educating and mobilising the people to access the free services.

    In his remark, Public Health Coordinator, Mr. Igwe expressed appreciation to the organisers of the programme, adding that the exercise has injected a new lease of life in the health sector.

    Commenting, a facilitator of the programme, Mr. Cosmos Nnabude said the outreach became imperative in order to bridge the gap between low income earners and affordable access to Medicare. He pleaded with rural dwellers to make optimum use of the programme which focuses on general health issues.

    Highpoints of the programme were free testing for HIV/AIDS, blood pressure, blood glucose, BM assessment, de-worming, free distribution of drugs and insecticide-treated nets, among others.

  • Lagos govt, TOTAL take HIV/AIDS awareness campaign  to schools

    Lagos govt, TOTAL take HIV/AIDS awareness campaign  to schools

    As part of activities marking this year’s World AIDS Day, the Lagos State government and Total E & P Nigeria Limited during the week embarked on enlightenment campaign for secondary school students in the state.

    The campaign funded by Total Nigeria Limited was held at Ibeju Lekki High School, Ibeju Lagos.

    The programme consultant, High Chief Lawrence Amakiri noted that campaign is sacrosanct because field experiences showed: “Most of the people between nine and 20 years of age still lack correct, effective and ethical information or education about the dreaded HIV\AIDS disease and its pandemic nature.”

    His position was confirmed by the ignorance displayed by a good number of the participants during the campaign.

    Speaking on the importance of the campaign, the representative of Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, Mrs Adeyinmika Akinola said: “We want HIV\AIDS free generation. This is why we are here to sensitize the students on what they need to do to remain negative. We are happy to support the enlightenment programme put up by Total Nigeria Limited and Teccua Investments Company Nigeria Limited and we are happy with the active participation of the students and the teachers. Lagos State has been in the forefront of organizing programmes like this through which we give basic facts on HIV\AIDS prevention to the students. Sometimes we do it through non-governmental organizations and corporate bodies like TOTAL has done today.