FHI - Nigeria Participates in World AIDS Day Events

Giant Balloon Urges Crowd to "Know Your Status."

DECEMBER 2007 — FHI staff across Nigeria were fully engaged in World AIDS Day commemorations Nov. 30. Many of their activities centered on HIV counseling and testing, since FHI is responsible for this component of the USAID-funded Global HIV/AIDS Initiative Nigeria.

National events
During the national event coordinated by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in Eagle Square, Abuja, GHAIN staff provided mobile counseling and testing services in designated locations; distributed information relating to prevention, care, and treatment of HIV infections; and participated in a colorful advocacy walk with NACA and other partners.

GHAIN Chief of Party Christoph Hamelmann, PhD, was interviewed by the BBC World Trust television program Wetin Dey, where he talked about FHI's HIV/AIDS youth interventions and strategies to reach young Nigerians. The program was broadcast on NTA Network on Dec. 23. In addition, a DBN Television interview with GHAIN's Associate Director of HIV Counseling and Testing Simon Cartier was broadcast on This Morning in Abuja on Nov. 30.

Events in Selected States
In Kano, GHAIN staff participated in a rally, presented at a seminar, and distributed materials. In Lagos State, GHAIN staff offered mobile counseling and testing at the National Stadium in Surulere, where young people gathered after a parade of motorized floats and a group of musicians from Imo state performed a song exhorting listeners to "share the love and not the virus."

In Delta State, FHI staff with the Niger Delta AIDS Response Project participated prominently in the Nov. 30 World AIDS Day activities of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria. In Warri, a mobile counseling and testing team provided services for Shell staff and contractors.

Similarly, in Enugu State, mobile counseling and testing were offered at markets and public arenas and at the grand finale of World AIDS Day activities Dec. 1. In all, 816 clients—486 males and 330 females—were counseled and tested during this period. Of these, 6 men and 14 women who tested positive were referred for treatment.

And in Awka, capital of Anambra State, the mobile counseling and testing team from GHAIN's zonal office provided counseling and testing services to 60 persons. Advocacy visits made by staff before the events in Anambra facilitated the involvement of high-level stakeholders. One such participant was Mrs. M. Obi, wife of the governor, who chaired the launch of the state's Strategic Action Plan on HIV/AIDS. FHI was lauded for its significant input into this plan, and was further honored when Mrs. Obi volunteered to be publicly counseled and tested by GHAIN staff member Patricia Igweike to demonstrate that everyone needs to access these services.

PHOTO: A hot air balloon released during World AIDS Day activities in Abuja provided a highly visible reminder to observers to "Know Your [HIV] Status." Mobile counseling and testing were an important part of the day's activities. (Peter Obiekea, FHI/GHAIN)