HIV/AIDS: NGO Sensitises Communities

A non-governmental organisation in Adamawa, Mana Foundation for Grassroot Development, has embarked on enlightenment campaign to create awareness on HIV and AIDS, in a renewed onslaught on the scourge.

The Director of the Foundation, Miss Amina Gadzama, said in Yola on Saturday that the campaign focused on creating awareness, encouraging behavioural and attitudinal change on the disease.

Gadzama said that the foundation had extended its outreach to major towns in the 21 local government areas of the state.

She added that the foundation had established Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) centres in various rural communities and supported people living with HIV and AIDS with food items.

“The aim is to change the belief of people on the disease, create awareness on preventive measures, reduce stigma, enhance care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS.

“We are geared toward accelerating grassroot development in the areas of reproductive health, cancer, hygiene and sanitation as well as youth empowerment.”

According to her, the foundation is working in collaboration with the Adamawa Government and other donor agencies to contain transmission of the scourge in the state.

Gadzama urged the youth and the women to go for HIV and AIDS testing to know their status, while advising them against unprotected sex.