Corps members offer free HIV/AIDS counselling, test in Jigawa markets
NAN-HG-1
HIV/AIDS
By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
Kiyawa (Jigawa), Nov. 15, 2016 (NAN) The NYSC Community Development Service Group (CDS Group) in Jigawa has extended its free HIV/AIDS counselling and testing services to major markets across the state.
The President of the group, Dr Muhammad Abubakar, told newsmen on Tuesday in Kiyawa that the corps members decided to extend the outreach to markets in order to assist rural dwellers know their HIV status.
Abubakar said that the group had targeted about 500 persons for counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS in the area.
“The reason why we decided to conduct this free counselling here is because, this market, being an international one, large number of people from different parts of the state and other neighbouring states patronised it weekly.
“So our plan is to counsel and test as many people as we could so that we help them know their status with regards to the diseases,’’ Abubakar said.
He explained that the group was able to counsel and tests over 150 people at Shuwarin market.
The president recalled that the group had conducted similar exercise at Dutse Ultra Modern Market where it counselled and tested 130 people.
According to him, the exercise is supported by Jigawa State Action Committee on AIDS (JISACA), NYSC Secretariat and the State Ministry of Information.
“I want to use this opportunity to commend JISACA for proving us with test kits, and the Ministry of Information for providing us with transportation and other logistics.
“Also our state NYSC Director for his support and encouragement towards the success of the exercise,’’ he said.
Abubakar added that each person was given three packs of condom after been counselled and tested.
He said that the beneficiaries were opportuned to know their status on HIV/AIDS courtesy of the CDS group.
“We told them the outcome of the test; those who need further attention we refer them to appropriate centres or hospitals, while those with no problem we advised them on how best to protect themselves from the menace,’’ he added.
One of the beneficiaries, Malam Idirisa Abdulhadi, commended the group for the gesture, saying the outreach enabled him to know his status.
Abdulhadi urged the corps members to extend it to rural areas.
However, he got everyone laughing after he was given three condoms.
Abdulhadi innocently turned back and asked: “Is this medicine? Do I take it with water or what?’’ (NAN)
MNB/FF/MST
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Muhammad Suleiman Tola