More than three million condoms has been acquired for distribution by the Cross River State agency for the control of HIV and AIDS during the Christmas carnival village in Calabar. Dr. Irene Aniyom,
the director general of the agency told reporters at the village in Calabar on Sunday that the reason behind that was to create more awareness on HIV and to check the prevalence level. She explained that the youths were targeted in the distribution of condom because they were the active participants at the annual carnival.
During the 32 day event, Dr.Irene added that SACA and her partners will also offer free counselling and test on the scourge.
Aniyom advised youths against using the festival as avenue for sexual activities, warning that “even if they should indulge in such practice, they should ensure that they use condom”.
She said Calabar South Local Government Area and Calabar Municipality Local Government had the highest HIV and AIDS prevalence.
She said 244,106 persons in the state were currently living with the HIV and AIDS.
She advised tourists and fun seekers patronising the festival village to avail themselves of the free counseling and test offered by the agency during the period.
“There is the need for people to take advantage of the testing and counselling to know their HIV status. This will enable them to control their excesses,” she said.
The SACA boss stated that Cross River was one of the states in the country that was making conscious effort to tackle HIV and AIDS.
“Gov Liyel Imoke is the Chairman of SACA in our state and he had done so much in supporting the agency. Whatever achievement we have made, we owe it to him,” she said.
Culled from iPaid