Rotary Club Jabi Lakeside calls for collective action on World AIDS Day

As the global community marks World AIDS Day, the Rotary Club of Abuja Jabi Lakeside has called for collective action to tackle the scourge, decrying poor access to healthcare among communities.

The President of Rotary Club, Jabi Lakeside Abuja, Amobi Ogum, gave this advice in a statement on Sunday, noting that the time has come to raise awareness and curb the spread of HIV.

Citing WHO records, he said about 90 million people have been infected with HIV, and approximately 45 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses.

“As of the end of 2023, around 40 million people were reported to be living with HIV worldwide. Sadly, Africa has been the hardest hit by this epidemic, with one in every 30 adults living with HIV, accounting for more than two-thirds of the global population living with HIV,” he stated.

He reiterated the commitment of Rotary Club Jabi Lakeside Abuja to contribute meaningfully to the health of communities.

“As Rotarians, today presents an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come in addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis. But more importantly, it is a call to action. As people of service, we must recognize that in many communities, access to treatment is still limited, and basic education about the disease remains a significant challenge,” he added.

He announced that the Rotary Club of Abuja Jabi Lakeside will embark on a visit to HIV/AIDS patients to offer encouragement and financial support.

“Additionally, in collaboration with some NGOs and a few of our friends, we will distribute condoms to underserved areas as a small but meaningful step toward raising awareness and curbing the spread of the virus,” the statement noted.

He called for more compassionate action and commitment to creating lasting change, adding that this is what the fight against HIV/AIDS demands: “collective action driven by empathy and a shared commitment and responsibility to build a healthier world.”