Osun Declares Support For NAIIS As Free HIV, Hepatitis B, C Tests For Residents Kick Off Tomorrow

 

By Nofisat Marindoti

The State Government of Osun led by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has declared its total support for the Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey, NAIIS, adding that the survey would help indicate the health status of the State.

The survey which is slated to start tomorrow, November 2nd, was declared open by the Director of Public Health, Dr Gbenga Adepoju at its activation meeting on Thursday.

Adepoju who represented the Commissioner of health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, welcomed the survey team to the State, adding that the State is ready to give them total support while on the field.

NAIIS is a programme of the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, NACA, the State Ministry of Health, State AIDS Control Agency with support from donors agencies.

The Southwest Mobilizer of NAIIS, Dr Olubunmi Ayinde, revealed that the survey which would focus on HIV, Hepatitis B and C tests, would cover 102 communities with the target of over 3000 people in the State.

She noted that the purpose of the survey is to know the health status of Nigerians and to work towards zero level of HIV in the country. Ayinde who added that the survey is not politically motivated, implored residents to give the survey team their support and cooperation.

“The survey is totally free, the survey team will go from door to door, with the participants’ permission, they will ask questions, provide counseling and take blood samples for testing of HIV, Hepatitis B and C and the result will be given almost immediately. We urge for the people’s cooperation during the survey,” Ayinde added.

In his speech, NAIIS Zonal Coordinator, Dr Babalola Obafemi, said the purpose of the activation meeting was to welcome the survey team proper to the State and to activate the survey. He also revealed that at the end of the survey, the results would be analyzed and disclosed to the world.