Bricache Intelligence

  The Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) is seeking more access to information, commodities and activities that will help reduce HIV prevalence in the country. Dr Bright Oniovokukor, South South Zonal Coordinator, CiSHAN, made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Monday. Oniovokukor said CiSHAN in collaboration with other NGOs recently celebrated the 2021 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial where the need to give more attention to HIV response was brought to the fore. "It has been observed that information and activities that have to do with HIV awareness and sensitization have dropped drastically to a near zero level.  "This has created the impression among some persons that the impact of HIV is not as much as it used to be. "Access to free HIV testing and commodities such as condoms have also dropped compared to how it used to be in previous years.  "This will affect c...

The Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN) has called on government in all the three tiers to procure self-testing kits to help increase testing for the virus in the country. Besides, the group also urged the government to, as a matter of urgency, disseminate the HIV self- testing guidelines. These, the group argued in a statement, would help bridge the HIV testing gap and ensuring that the country achieve ninety (90%) percent testing target for 2030. The statement which was signed by the group Executive Secretary, Dr. Walter Ugwuocha also noted availability of the self-testing kits will further provide access to people who don’t feel comfortable going to health facilities for testing. He said: “Availability of HIV self-test kit in Nigeria is a welcome development as it will facilitate access of persons. It will also facilitate HIV testing as many times as any individual wants. “The National roll out of the HIV self-testing programme in Nigeria can help clo...