Osun State joined the global community to commemorate World AIDS Day 2025 with a series of impactful, community-driven activitie...
Osun State joined the global community to commemorate World AIDS Day 2025 with a series of impactful, community-driven activities aimed at renewing commitment, raising awareness, and strengthening action toward ending AIDS as a public health threat. Guided by this year’s theme, “Overcoming Disruptions; Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response” partners and stakeholders across the state delivered coordinated interventions that touched every segment of the population.
Road Walk to Raise Awareness and Drive Community Engagement
The commemoration ceremony began with a vibrant road walk, featuring representatives from the TB, HIV, and Malaria programs, Network of people living with HIV( NEPWHAN), implementing partners, civil society groups, and community volunteers. Participants marched through major streets across Osun State, distributing educational materials and engaging residents on the importance of early testing, treatment adherence, and preventive practices.
The road walk served as a powerful symbolic action to amplify visibility, reinforce solidarity, and mobilize community participation in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.
Integrated Testing Services for the General Population
A major highlight of the event was the rollout of comprehensive Integrated Testing Services, bringing essential health screening directly to the communities. These services included:
TB Screening Using PDX Machines
Cutting-edge PDX diagnostic machines were deployed to conduct real-time screening for tuberculosis—particularly children and vulnerable groups. The use of these devices allowed for quicker identification of presumptive TB cases and immediate linkage to further evaluation.
HIV Testing Services (HTS)
Free, confidential HIV testing was offered to the general population, with special attention to pregnant women to strengthen the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) efforts. Trained counselors were available onsite to provide pre- and post-test counseling, ensuring individuals understood their results and next steps.
Malaria Testing
Rapid malaria testing was also conducted for adults and children, supporting early diagnosis and reducing risk of complications. This integration reflected the state’s commitment to a holistic approach to public health.
Awareness Creation and Sensitization
Throughout the activities, health educators and volunteers led awareness sessions addressing HIV prevention, stigma reduction, treatment adherence, benefits of knowing one’s status, and healthy lifestyle practices. These sensitization efforts targeted the general population, including youth, market women, transport unions, and rural communities. The interactive sessions helped demystify misconceptions around HIV, TB, and malaria, while encouraging individuals to take advantage of the free testing services available.
Partnership for Impact
The commemoration was coordinated by the Osun State Agency for the control of HIV in collaboration, State Aids control Program( SASCP), Osun State Tuberculosis and leprosy Control program(STBLCP), Osun state Malaria Elimination Program(SMEP) with implementing partners, including the Damien Foundation Nigeria(DFB Nig), Institute of human virology Nigeria(IHVN), Shepherd for Health, Environment Advocacy and Development Centre(SHEAD), Network of people living with HIV Aids in Nigeria(NEPWHAN),Excellence community education and welfare Scheme(ECEWS) and The Globalfund. Partners facilitated mobilization, logistics, testing services, referral, and follow-up for individuals diagnosed during the outreach.
Healthcare workers, peer educators, and volunteers were recognized for their relentless dedication to sustaining HIV/TB/Malaria services across the state.
The Road Ahead
World AIDS Day 2025 served as a reminder that ending AIDS is achievable when communities are informed, engaged, and empowered. Through integrated health services, strong partnerships, and community-driven initiatives, Osun State continues to scale up efforts toward achieving the 95-95-95 goals, eliminating new infections, and building a healthier future for all.
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