The AIDS Healthcare Foundation urged African governments Wednesday to ramp up domestic funding and dismantle barriers to condom availability, as it gears up for International Condom Day events aimed at combating rising HIV infections among youth.
In a statement issued in Kogi State, the non-profit highlighted the need for ongoing promotion of condom use to counter surging sexually transmitted infections globally.
AHF Nigeria plans celebrations in Akwa Ibom and Anambra states on February 12, featuring free condom distribution, awareness drives and HIV testing.e813ee A separate session on sex education and condom importance will target students at the University of Abuja’s media faculty on February 13, coinciding with Valentine’s Day.
Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager Steve Aborishade stressed youth vulnerability: “Governments and other stakeholders in the HIV prevention campaign need to promote condom use continually to reduce the HIV infection rate among young Nigerians amid the increasing rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide.”
AHF Africa Bureau Chief Martin Matabishi called for action against stigma and shortages: “Condoms are cheap, effective, and proven, yet too often people can’t get them or face stigma for using them. Governments must step up domestic health financing and remove barriers to access, ensuring condoms are freely and widely available.”
Country Programme Director Dr Echey Ijezie underscored the method’s efficacy: “Using condoms is the best way and most cost-effective method to prevent HIV, other STIs, and unplanned pregnancies.”
Since 2011, AHF Nigeria has performed over 2.5 million HIV tests, handed out 27 million condoms, trained more than 2,000 health workers and runs 153 clinics across seven states. Globally, the organization cares for 2.8 million people in 50 countries, making it the world’s largest non-profit HIV/AIDS provider.
