Stakeholders reiterated the need for continued advocacy, expanded access to preventive commodities, and innovative community-driven strategies to reduce new infections and improve public health outcomes in Cross River State.
By Asari Eso
The Cross River State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA) has intensified its HIV prevention efforts as stakeholders across the state commemorated International Condom Day with wide-scale sensitization, counselling, and distribution of preventive commodities (condom).
The event, supported by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, brought together government agencies, development partners, youth-led organizations, and advocacy networks to promote condom use as a safe, cost-effective, and accessible method of preventing HIV, other sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancies.
International Condom Day, observed annually on February 13 and supported globally by the World Health Organization, aims to raise awareness on HIV prevention and encourage responsible sexual health practices.
Addressing participants, shortly after the sensitization walk which kicked off at the Millenium to Calabar Road and terminated at Watt Market, the Director General of SACA, Dr Charles Iwara, emphasized the critical role of community engagement in combating the HIV epidemic.
“Condoms remain one of the safest and most cost-effective means of preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as unintended pregnancies. The strong turnout today reflects increasing awareness and shared responsibility in tackling HIV across our communities,” Dr Iwara said.
He disclosed that thousands of residents accessed HIV counselling and testing services during the outreach, while 36,000 condoms and 5,000 lubricants were distributed to participants.
Dr Iwara also commended the continued support of the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, for prioritizing public health initiatives and strengthening the State’s HIV response framework.
He further announced that from next year, SACA will assume full coordination of the annual International Condom Day programme in the state, signaling increased state ownership and sustainability of HIV prevention efforts.
Expressing appreciation to all partners, participants, and the Governor for their continued support in advancing HIV prevention and public health initiatives across the State, Iwara encouraged them to always practice safe sex always.
Key partners at the event included University of Calabar Youth Hub, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA – United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency), International Society of Substance Use Professionals, Nigerian Youth Network on HIV/AIDS, Key Population Health and Rights Network, among others.
Stakeholders reiterated the need for continued advocacy, expanded access to preventive commodities, and innovative community-driven strategies to reduce new infections and improve public health outcomes in Cross River State.
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