…intensifies awareness campaign 

By Peter Duru, Makurdi 

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible and seamless HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) services across communities in Nigeria. 

The Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager at AHF Nigeria, Mr. Steve Aborisade in a statement said as part of activities marking the 2025 World AIDS Day (WAD), AHF took its sensitisation campaign to Keffi, Nasarawa state, with a road show and health talk aimed at deepening awareness on prevention, testing and treatment. 

Speaking during the event, the Nasarawa State Coordinator of AHF, Dr. Ibrahim Bichi, described the sensitisation campaign as critical to Nigeria’s efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. He noted that the state currently has a prevalence rate of 2.0 percent, with an estimated 23,306 people living with HIV who require treatment. 

According to him, AHF was working closely with the state government to address emerging challenges and strengthen HIV response mechanisms. 

Also speaking, AHF Medical Director, Dr. Emmanuel Nwabueze, said the foundation was scaling up its community engagements to support the global target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. 

He explained that AHF’s campaign extends beyond HIV to include treatment of STIs and general wellness, adding that plans were underway to establish a wellness centre in Nasarawa State, similar to existing centres in Benue and Abuja. 

“AHF is determined to provide seamless and accessible STIs services to the people. “Our wellness centres also provide free condom education and distribution as part of prevention efforts,” he said. 

Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager at AHF Nigeria, Mr. Steve Aborisade, commended stakeholders for supporting the programme, assuring that the organisation would continue to partner with government agencies, youth groups and community organisations to tackle STIs across the country. 

Director of Primary Health Care, Keffi, Mr. Dogara Danjuma, emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS and STIs, noting that PHC teams are expanding community-level campaigns. 

Representing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Favour Folarin said corps members were actively engaging communities with sensitisation messages, especially through the PET programme. She expressed appreciation to AHF for involving the NYSC in the drive to safeguard young people. 

Similarly, a representative of the Young Peoples Programme (YPP) in Keffi, Ms. Michael Catherine Ishor, said the initiative had trained young people on the dangers of STIs and empowered them to educate their peers on preventive health practices. 

The Keffi sensitisation campaign forms part of AHF’s broader efforts to strengthen public awareness and expand access to HIV/STI prevention and care services across Nigeria.