The Anti-Drug Misuse and Abuse Programme (ADMAP) recently visited the University of Benin Faculty of Pharmacy to sensitise the students and lecturers on HIV and AIDS.

ADMAP chairman, Isaac Ehimen, stated that the group decided to use the faculty because its students would in the nearest future be in practice and as such, would be better placed to effect any change in the stigmatisation currently going on against HIV and AIDS patients. He said it is in line with this vision that the orientation of future health workers has to start with them.

In his open address to the 500 level class, Ehimen advised the students to change their mindset on how they perceive HIV and AIDS patients, adding that these diseases cannot be contacted through handshake, hugs and other social interacting tools.

“We all know that HIV and AIDS cannot be got from handshakes, hence we should not withdraw ourselves from relating with those who have the virus,” he explained.

Giving a lecture on HIV and AIDS, Francis Amukamara, a member of ADMAP, gave the history of the viruses that cause the killer diseases and the latest drugs that could be used for treatment.

His words: “Many HIV and AIDS patients work and lead normal lives in the street. HIV is no longer a death sentence. However, the side effects of the drugs used in treating the disease are sometimes very terrible.”

Isaac also stated that abstinence is still the best way to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS, as the disease is usually asymptomatic for a very long time.