Kubwa residents urged to unite for AIDS

November 20, 2006 :: Abubakar Yakubu Daily Trust,Abuja

Members of the Kubwa community in Abuja are being invited to unite and attend an open day at the Daughters of Charity on December 1, 2006 to mark the World Aids Day.

The charity, which provides a comprehensive range of HIV services, including free voluntary counselling and testing, laboratory services (viral load testing, CD4 counts) as well as free anti- retroviral treatments for people living with HIV, is encouraging members of the community to come along to the Daughter of Charity on Byazhin road between 8am and 2pm for a free programme of events, designed to raise people's awareness of HIV/ AIDS.

The clinic's auxiliary nurses are expected to perform a drama about stigma and discrimination on the day while there would be free workshops, literature and advice for people that want to learn more about the disease and issues surrounding it.

Part of the programme for the day would also entail visits by a group of outreach workers to various places in Kubwa including Kubwa Market.

Sir Geraldine Henry, proj-ect coordinator for the province of Nigeria, Daughters of Charity said Kubwa has a rising rate of HIV infection. "That is why it is imperative that as a community, Kubwa residents come together to share knowledge and awareness of the virus. This is a valuable opportunity for people to come along to the clinic and find out more about HIV/AIDS and how it can be protected," he said.

He explained that the event would also afford people the opportunity to know their status by being tested.

City News learnt that the day is being organised by a British volunteer, Amy Merone (working at the daughters of charity). The volunteer said thus about the event: "It is now time that we work together as a community to educate ourselves about the dangers of HIV/ AIDS and to gain understanding of issues surrounding it," she said.