HIV/AIDS: YEDI Urges Govt to Partner NGOs against Inequality 

The Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative (YEDI), a nongovernmental body, has urged governments at all levels to partner NGOs in their efforts to halt inequality and the spread of HIV/AIDS across the nation.

The Executive Director, Mrs. Tomisin Adeoye, made this call at the three days medical outreach in Araromi-Onikan community of Lagos Island, Lagos to mark the World AIDS Day.

With the theme, “End Inequalities, End AIDS, End Pandemics”, Adeoye said the medical outreach powered by YEDI is contributing to ending inequality.

She noted: “This is why we are targeting the rural areas and disadvantaged communities so that they can also have access to these health services and information to live healthier lives.”

According to the ED, more should be done to quell stigmatisation of victims. She further outlined the importance of enlightening the public that people living with the virus can live longer healthier lives once they have access to proper care and treatment.

After this outreach, Adeoye continued, those who are positive to the virus will be referred to counselling centres we partnered for proper care and treatment. “With this, we will be able to monitor and follow-up with them,” she emphasised.

Chairperson, Araromi Onikan CDA, Mrs. Bisi Balogun-Coker, commended the organisation for continuous support toward the growth and development of members of the community in various ways.

Balogun-Coker said YEDI had been to the community on several occasions to empower young people through skills acquisition, sports and provision of free health services.

She pleaded that YEDI extends collaboration to other CDAs in Lagos Island, for wider impact.

Mr Jegede Taiwo, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the organisation for bringing free health services to their community, saying it had pushed him to know his HIV status, after eight years since his last test.

Prisca Onuegbu, Communications and External Relations Manager, YEDI, said that through engagement with the community, they had discovered that young people engaged in risky and unhealthy behaviours that put them at risk.

She further hinted that through the outreach, they target at least 2,000 people in Lagos, Ogun, Akwa-Ibom States and Abuja. “This year’s outreach aims to encourage people to know their HIV status and get more information about prevention and treatment.”

Some of the activities carried out included free tests on HIV, blood pressure, malaria, and distribution of insecticide-treated nets to beneficiaries present.