By OzioruvaAliu

BENIN CITY – IN a bid to reduce the widespread of HIV/AIDS in Edo state Rahi Medical hospital, Arit Walden Nigeria Limited and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), have organised an awareness campaign and roadshow to curb the menace.

The awareness campaign and roadshow organized to mark World AIDS Day, with the theme:”Take the Right Path; My Health, My Right,” was aimed to prevent people from contracting the disease.

The road show targeted some red light areas in Benin City and the campaigners spoke in pidgin English and Benin dialect

Speaking, the Medical Director of Rahi Specialist hospital, Dr Chris Ekiyor said the focus of the partnership was to take HIV reduction to another level .

Dr. Ekiyor said,”We are testing people to know their status, learning how to leave safe and preventive measures . Also having confidence if you are positive you are positive it is not the end of life. There is an opportunity to leave a normal life and stop the disease.

“So, the NDDC is the one driving this process in the last four weeks and Rahi Medical hospital is a partner. We have been doing it with them in several areas such as; fight against malaria. But, today’s focus is to drive the campaign of HIV reduction to another level.

“We see people who have died before they were rushed to the clinic and we see people who are in denial. This is why this type of campaign is important. People should know that denial does not solve any problem.

“Even if you are positive it is not the end of the world. You can live a meaningful life, have children who would not have HIV will counsel and programme to have them.

“We have seen people who came to hospital at an advanced stage and they have lost their lives. So the focus of this one is prevention, early identification and safe relationships. If you have this then you will be able to leave a normal life that every person is leaving.

“For those who are already positive if they are well educated, they will know that they are supposed to join the campaign to break the circle.

In an interview with the Assistant Director, a Directorate of Education, Health and Social Services, NDDC in Edo state, Abigail Ugiagbe, said that the Commission was in partnership with well meaning medical organizations to deliver quality healthcare to the people of the Niger Delta.