HIV Awareness: AKSACA Takes Sensitization To Churches, Mosques

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

Towards prevention of HIV and its spread, the Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS (AKSACA) has taken campaign to Churches and Mosques with the flagging off of a Faith-Based HIV Awareness and Prevention Outreach within religious communities across the state. This came just as the Agency was preparing for the 2025 World AIDS Day,

The official flag-off, led by the Project Manager of AKSACA, Dr. Enobong Akpan, took place at the Presbyterian Church, 73 Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo.

Project Manager of AKSACA, Dr. Akpan said that the outreach is a statewide sensitization campaign targeted at faith-based organizations (churches/mosques) organized in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Akwa Ibom State Chapter, represented at the event by Bishop Prince Attai, Chairman NIF-COBB AIDS AKS.

Akpan emphasized that the initiative aligns with the health component of the ARISE AGENDA of Governor Umo Eno who recently declared a state of emergency in the health sector.

According to him, the Governor’s passion is to ensure that every citizen of Akwa Ibom enjoys good health and the dividends of democracy.

He explained that HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the body’s immune system, leaving it vulnerable to other infections. While progress has been made in reducing HIV prevalence in the state, recent data shows a resurgence of new infections, particularly among young people.

Dr. Akpan identified the major causes of HIV transmission as unprotected and reckless sexual intercourse, sharing of sharp objects and needles, drug abuse, sexual based violence and mother-to-child transmission.

He highlighted the preventive measures as abstinence, faithfulness to one’s uninfected partner, consistent and correct use of condoms, use of PEP and PrEP medications, and avoidance of drug abuse.

He also urged religious leaders to consistently preach moral values and responsible living.

The Hon. Commissioner for Health, represented by the Director Public Health Dr Etop Antia, highlighted the importance of basic knowledge on prevention of public health illnesses and assured of Government’s commitment to health literacy, health system strengthening, including ongoing strategic reforms in the health sector of the State.

Speaking also at the event, Dr. Emem Xavier, deputy SASCP and State PMTCT focal person, noted that though HIV remains a public health concern, mother-to-child transmission can be prevented through effective strategies such as: preventing primary infection in women of childbearing age through counseling, testing, and awareness, preventing unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV through access to family planning services, preventing transmission to infants using antiretroviral medications.

Dr. Xavier encouraged pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics and deliver in accredited health facilities where trained professionals provide quality care. She stressed that all HIV-related services—including testing, treatment, and support—are free in health facilities across all Local Government Areas of the state.

The event was attended by Directors from the Ministry of Health, representatives of development partners, members of the community of people living with HIV/AIDS, and officials from the Ministries of Information, Youth, and Women Affairs.

The high points of the outreach included: On-site HIV testing, distribution of self-test kits, condom education, screening for tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases eg Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus.

The outreach continues across churches and mosques in several LGAs and communities in the state until December 2025. We hereby appreciate our esteemed partners eg ECEWS, CCCRN, HALG, MAP-IT, KNCV, MIHRE, etc, for their human, material, and logistics support in hosting this event.