The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), has launched a free HIV screening and counseling initiative for attendees and exhibitors at the Y2024 Trade Fair. Held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, the trade fair, which commenced on November 1 and will run until November 10, 2024, attracts participants from across Nigeria and beyond. This year’s fair was officially opened by Deputy Governor Dr. Kadiri Hamzat, who applauded LSACA’s commitment to controlling HIV spread in the state.
During his visit to the LSACA stand at the Lagos Pavilion, Dr. Hamzat commended the agency’s dedication to sustainable healthcare and emphasized the Lagos State Government’s commitment to maintaining public health as a pathway to increased productivity. Encouraging all trade fair participants to take advantage of the free screenings, he underscored the importance of early diagnosis and the adoption of proactive health-seeking behavior.
LSACA’s CEO, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, highlighted that the free HIV screening is part of Lagos State’s broader efforts to enhance public health by providing accessible testing and support services. She noted that the initiative would run throughout the trade fair’s duration, offering attendees convenient access to crucial health resources. “The free HIV screening initiative reflects our commitment to improving healthcare access across Lagos. We want all residents to feel empowered to know their status and seek timely care if needed,” Animashaun stated.
Dr. Animashaun further outlined LSACA’s role in coordinating HIV/AIDS control efforts in Lagos, including the expansion of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) programs, awareness and sensitization campaigns, and targeted community outreach initiatives. She emphasized the agency’s commitment to youth-centered programs and its ongoing efforts to promote preventive practices within Lagos communities.
The screening exercise not only aims to raise awareness of HIV but also to foster responsible health practices that contribute to reducing transmission rates. According to Dr. Animashaun, the initiative will serve as a resource hub for attendees, providing them with counseling, information, and preventive guidance on HIV.
The Lagos State Government’s HIV screening initiative at the Y2024 Trade Fair exemplifies a proactive approach to public health, leveraging the fair’s large audience to drive awareness and encourage responsible health behaviors, thereby supporting the state’s long-term goal of reducing HIV prevalence.
