NAN – The Wife of Ekiti state governor, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, on Thursday called for more public awareness against stigmatisation of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients.
Fayose made the call during this year’s World’s AIDs Day with the theme: “Stigma Ends with me”, held at the Fajuyi Park in Ado-Ekiti.
She said that the state government was concerned about the need to support the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“Ekiti State Government is not unmindful of the barriers to the treatment and prevention of the disease.
“We are much aware of the stigmatization, lack of proper medication and support for awareness creation, among others.
“The state has been supporting the various agencies attending to cases of AIDS/HIV and will continue to do so.
“The state will particularly employ a muilti-faceted approach in terms of creating awareness, medication and other logistics.
“We shall take a bold step to prevent the disease from spreading, treating victims and creating anti-stigmatisation awareness,’’ she said.
Fayose thanked all Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the state for their support on the fight against the deadly disease.
She enjoined all stakeholders to galvanise efforts towards ensuring that the disease is eradicated and advised residents to go for HIV/AIDS test.
The State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr Tobias Ibeh, described the governor’s wife as a mother to all corps members in the state through her support for them.
He said she has been able to assist them despite the paucity of funds in the state.
He assured corps members in the state of prompt payment of their allowances as promised by Gov. Ayodele Fayose.
The Project Manager of the event, Mr Doherty Olusegun, said it was illegal for priests or other religious leaders to mandate prospective couples to go for HIV/AIDs test before marriage.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by many NGOs, including Foshpad Foundation for sustainable health promotion and development.
Others are Kids and Teens, Centre for Better Health and Bill Gold, who all reeled out their achievements in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
