On December 1, WHO joins partners and communities to commemorate World AIDS Day (WAD). With the 2024 theme “Take the rights path: My health, my right!” WHO is calling on global leaders and citizens to champion the right to health by addressing the inequalities that hinder progress in ending AIDS as a public health threat. An end that is aimed for by 2030.
Plateau State recorded 2,260 new cases of HIV infection and a total of 581 deaths in 2023. It is in this regard and with renewed commitment that the Plateau State government in collaboration with APHPN and other stakeholders joined the world to mark the WAD. Under the auspices of the Plateau AIDS Control Agency (PLACA), a planning committee was formed with drawn from various stakeholders, currently engaged in the fight against AIDS. Agencies that collaborated include Association of Public health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) Plateau branch, AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN), State AIDS and STIs Control Programme (SASCP), TearFund, Nigeria, Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA), Nigerian Red Cross, Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Association of Women Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Nigeria Nurses And Midwives (NANNM), Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN), Police Action Committee on HIV/AIDS, Media for Social Change and Development (MSCD), Association of Positive Youths Living with HIV/AIDS (APYIN), Nigeria Key Populations Health and Rights Network (NKPHRN).
For Plateau State, it was a week-long affair that included advocacy visits, media engagements and health talks to organized groups on HIV/AIDS prevention and HIV Testing Services (HTS) provided in various public locations across the State. A press conference kicked off the activities which was led by the Commissioner for Health. Special prayers and thanksgiving services were held at the Central Mosque and COCIN headquarters church respectively on 1st December. The thanksgiving service was graced with the presence of the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang and former President Gen Olusegun Obasanjo.
The main highlight of the celebration was a road walk from the Old Airport Roundabout (a central location of Jos, the State capital) that culminated at the Crest hotel, the venue of the symposium. Condoms and flyers with HIV prevention and treatment information were distributed during road walk. At the symposium, Governor was represented by the Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo who stated the government’s commitment to support the fight against the disease. The main lecture was delivered by Prof. O. Agbaji, the Chairman of the Plateau State AIDS Technical Working Group (TWG). The occasion was graced by many high profile dignitaries.
Pictures of other activities of the celebration
