NAF marks World AIDS Day 2018 with free HIV screening, counselling

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) under the Nigerian Ministry of Defense Health Implementation Program (NMODHIP) on Wednesday flagged off a one-day HIV/AIDS sensitization campaign in Jos, aimed at creating awareness about the scourge and encouraging people to know their HIV infection status.

TheWorld AIDS Day (WAD) is held December 1st of each year globally, as anopportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV. This year`s theme:“Know your status,” seeks to encourage everyone everywhere to know their HIVinfection status.

While flagging off the campaign, commander of the 563 Nigerian Air Force Hospital Jos, Wing Commander M Mohammed said HIV/AIDS remained a global health challenge and NAF was committed to supporting the fight against the disease. “HIV/AIDS is a very serious global health problem, so NAF and particularly the hospital is joining other organizations to create awareness about the disease and also provide free HIV screening and counselling services for the population.”

Mohammed added that HIV drugs were free and accessible to anyone who is HIV positive at NAF hospital in Jos adding that the campaign was also aimed at fostering better civil-military relations  as well as opening up NAF’s facility to the civilian population.

In his remarks at the event, Dr Kiyani BJ, site team leader of the military HIV program in Jos encouraged members of the public to get tested and know their HIV status so that those who are found positive would be placed on treatment immediately. “We are here to carry out free HIV testing and we want everybody to get tested. If you`re positive, we would ensure that your details are kept secret – confidential – and we are going to place you on treatment free of charge,” he said.