Foundation to distribute 500,000 condoms in FCT

The AIDS Health Care Foundation (AHF), an NGO, says it will distribute 500,000 condoms in the FCT as part of activities to commemorate the 2016 World Condom Day.

The Site Coordinator of AHF Clinic, Dr Kena Onu, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

He said that the distribution of the condoms, with other activities lined up for this year’s occasion, would help increase awareness on the use of condom and its role in preventing HIV and AIDS.

He said that interested persons in Abuja and its environs would be provided with the commodity.

Onu said the activities lined up for this year’s celebration were in consonance with the theme for this year’s theme “Wrap Your Love’’.

According to him, the theme was chosen to emphasise the importance of condoms and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

“Globally there has been a great decline in the use and availability of condoms that is why we are advocating for more use of the mode of protection.

“It is really cool because it is not just to protect yourself but also to protect your loved ones, we feel it is easier and better to use condoms because it can achieve 85 to 90 per cent protection,’’ he said.

He also said that condom use should be encouraged among the younger population such as the sexually active group.

The site coordinator said the foundation would further reawaken the awareness of condom use in higher institutions and also engaged in HIV and AIDS debates at NYSC camps.

“Abstinence is the only way to avoid becoming infected with HIV and AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.

“However, we at AHF believe that condoms are very important and effective in the prevention of these diseases if used consistently and correctly,’’ he said.

He said the foundation would also organise community outreach on HIV and AIDS, counselling, testing, sensitisation and awareness campaign in Abuja, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Anambra and Cross River.

He explained that the community dialogue would further help to address stigma and discrimination of the scourge.

NAN reports that AHF is a global NGO, which is set up to provide free HIV care, treatment, prevention and advocacy.

AHF has presence in 36 countries in the world.

The foundation started in Nigeria in 2011, and currently operating in six states of Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Abuja, Anambra and Cross River.

NAN also reports that the World Condom Day holds every Feb. 13.