NGO trains religious leaders on HIV response

NGO trains religious leaders on HIV response
By Awayi Kuje
Training
Akwanga (Nasarawa State), May 31, 2018 (NAN) Caritas Nigeria/Caritas International, an NGO, has commenced the training of over 56 religious leaders and critical stakeholders on active response to HIV among children and reducing stigma in the country.
Dr Uche Obodoechina, the Deputy Executive Secretary, Caritas Nigeria, made this known on Thursday in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, at the opening of a two-day training on Paediatric HIV for religious leaders.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants of the workshop were Catholic priests, Reverend Sisters and other critical stakeholders drawn from Kaduna, Nasarawa and Benue States as well as FCT, Abuja.
Obodoechina said that the training is part of a project called Galvanising Religious Leaders for Accelerated Identification and Linkage to paediatric ART (GRAIL).
He explained that the training was aimed at empowering religious leaders’ response to HIV among children and further reducing stigma.
He noted that the choice of the religious leaders and other critical stakeholders for the workshop was based on their critical role and position in the society.
“We are looking forward to over 56 religious leaders and critical stakeholders who are going to help us carry the campaign forward for inclusion of infant and children in our HIV response.
“Because experience shows that infant and children are always forgotten in the entire response process.
“This programme, the GRAIL project, is designed to encourage and help our leaders to take active part in the campaign because infants are unable to speak for themselves,’’ he said.
The deputy executive scribe called on Nigerians to avoid reckless and irresponsible life in the interest of their health and for the overall development of the country.
Mr Stefano Nobile, the Focal Person for Health and HIV, Caritas International, urged the participants to actively take the message to their communities in order to tackle the menace in the society.
“Caritas has organised training of its own staff and volunteers, as well as those engaged in other Catholic Church structures to develop compassionate, non-judgmental responses to those living with or affected by HIV,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Olawale Fadare, Senior Technical Advisor, Outcomes and Evaluation, Caritas Nigeria, said the objective of the training was to ensure that religious and community leaders are empowered with pastoral and scientific messaging upon return to their congregations.
He said it is also to engage the participants in reviewing and domesticating the pre-existing sermon guides from World Council of Churches (WCC) and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).
Mr Gabriel Undelikwo, the Country Community Mobilisation and Networking Adviser, UNAIDS, called on the people to always know their HIV status in the interest of their health to enable them live a worthy life.
He advised against discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS, adding that people should show love and care to the victims of the scourge in order to improve on their health status.
“My wish is for people to get tested, let encourage each other, let ensure that collectively ,we end HIV/ AIDs,” he said.
In a short spiritual reflection, the Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese, Dr Mathew Audu, called for maximum protection to venerable children and defenceless people in the society.
Audu, who was represented by the Catholic Priest in charge of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Akwanga, Rev. Peter Semenlinso, commended Caritas Nigeria for organising the workshop.
The priest also acknowledged that the strategy would go a long way in tackling the menace of HIV/AIDS in the society. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola