Flour Mills of Nigeria plc says it will continue to drive extensive workplace advocacy on steps to eradicate the spread of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and Human Deficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS).
As members of Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) have underscored the need for collective effort involving government, citizens and the media to check HIV/AIDS in the country. NiBUCAA is the voice of the private sector against the disease.
Figures from the United Nations programme on HIV and AIDS indicate that Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic, with over 3.1 million people including children who are living with the virus.
Paul Gbededo, group managing director, Flour Mills of Nigeria observes that the high number of Nigerians living with this virus is particularly sad to note, especially when we consider that there are several more that are unaware of their status.
Gbededo, while speaking during the enlightenment and sensitisation walk organised by the company in partnership with the Society for Family Health to commemorate World AIDS day in Apapa, Lagos, reiterates the need for workers to know their HIV status at any point in time.
Speaking on the Theme ‘Know your Status,’ the managing director observes that it is quite appropriate when we consider the current state of the epidemic in Nigeria.
Funke Adewoyin, regional manager, Society for Family Health, South West, observes that unlike in the past where HIV status was a hidden thing, today the advent of mass media enlightenment campaign has created awareness.
High point of the programme was health walk and the setting up of several HIV testing and counselling points around its FMN facilities to avail its workers an opportunity to get tested.
Further more, members of NiBUCAA stated this during its maiden AIDS Walk to commemorate 2018 World AIDS Day. The walk, which commenced at Costain Bus Stop and terminated at the National Stadium, Surulere, saw NiBUCAA member companies and partners saying that such collective effort would go a long way in addressing the spread of the disease.
Shaibu Musa, executive committee chairman of NiBUCAA, said issues of HIV/AIDS demand attention and support from everyone, from government to business establishments, citizens and the media. “The 2018 World AIDS Day is particularly significant. This year’s commemoration is the 30th edition of the international day set aside to raise awareness and ignite conversations on the scourge and effects of HIV/AIDS in communities and workplaces,” Musa said.
He opined that, collaborative efforts and increased investments in awareness, provision of HCT services and antiretroviral therapy (ART) to infected persons would help to reduce the country’s HIV/AIDS burden.
“The theme of this year’s commemoration, Know Your Status, is a call to action. Although efforts are being made to make antiretroviral therapy (ART) available to affected pregnant women, we are optimistic that improved investments in awareness and getting citizens to know their HIV status would help to reduce the country’s HIV&AIDS burden. HCT services should be made accessible to every citizen just as antiretroviral therapy (ART) should be within the reach of infected persons. “
Sani Aliyu, director-general, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), lauded NiBUCAA for sustaining engagements with the private sector whilst calling for sustained political will to deepen the response on HIV/AIDS.
Represented by Raheem Mohammed, the assistant director of NACA South-West zone, said the launch of the HIV Trust Fund would help to bridge the gap in accessing antiretroviral therapy for Persons living with HIV (PLHIV).
“The gap in HIV diagnosis is a major limitation for our HIV programme and for the country to achieve the 90-90-90 targets. There are several opportunities and innovative technologies to expand access to HIV testing which will require a sustained political will for funding and investment.”
Commenting on the presentation of awards to member companies for contributing to community health and development of the coalition, Executive Secretary NiBUCAA, Gbenga Alabi stated that the coalition would continue to innovate and seek ways to support government’s efforts in improving the wellbeing of the citizenry.
“2019 will be a proactive year for the coalition. We will expand our focus to reach out to more workplaces and business host communities. This will help to complement government’s efforts and boost the socio-economic advancement of the country,” Alabi said.
