UNILORIN Pharmacy Students Advocate Safer Sexual Practices

pharmacy

-Commemorate 2019 World AIDS Day

Worried by the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Kwara State, as expressed by the State AIDS Control Agency (KWASACA) recently, which is evident with the number of brothels scattered around the region, the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), University of Ilorin Chapter, organised a walk against HIV/AIDS, in marking the 2019 World AIDS Day.

In commemorating the World AIDS Day held on 1 December, 2019, the PANS members  embarked on a 10km sensitisation rally from the University gate to Tipper Garage, with the goal of increasing awareness and enlightenment about AIDS, as well as advocating for safer sexual practices in the municipal city of Ilorin.

The HIV/AIDS awareness walk was in line with the theme for this year’s celebration, which was “communities make the difference”. With various HIV/AIDS campaign slogans captioned on placards and banners, scores of students displayed these banners round the university community to arrest residents’ attention.

As a prove that positive health outcomes is a collaborative approach, medical students from the College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin also participated in the campaign.

“We expressed the intention to collaborate with Medical Students’ Association in Oke-Oyi on a very short notice, and they didn’t reject us. They honoured the health walk programme with their presence and active participation. They have shown themselves as good examples to other students in the healthcare team. We all belong to multidisciplinary healthcare team”, UNILORIN PANS President, Abdul Hakeem Oyinlola, remarked.

Condoms were also distributed to those vulnerable populations as part of the tactical approaches to reducing the prevalence of the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases in the city.

Top among the PANS executives in attendance at the walk were, the PANS President, Oyinlola; the Vice-President, Niniola Dada and the General Secretary, Babatunde Yusuf Olalekan.

The battle against AIDS cannot be achieved without the efforts of healthcare professionals, non-healthcare professionals and the public at large. Through public enlightenment, awareness, sensitisation and collective advocacies, the fight against AIDS will be won.

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