NEWS

Nigeria Has High Rates Of HIV Infection In The World, Just 10% Get Tested -CNN

Published

7 years ago

October 19, 2017

Universal Cure For HIV, Cancer Underway – Nobel Laureate

Nigeria has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world, but just 10% of the population get tested.

Sexual health tests in Nigeria can be a harrowing ordeal.
In addition to the anxiety of discovering their results, visitors to public clinics must face the stigma around sexual activity that remains prevalent in Nigerian society.

“People stare a lot when you go for testing, especially if you are unmarried,” says Vivian*, a cosmetics store manager from Abuja.

“They look at you like you are wayward or naughty.”
Many Nigerians escape social judgment by avoiding tests, with deadly consequences. In a country with one the world’s highest rates of HIV infection, just 10% of the population has been tested for the disease, according to government statistics.
Prevalence of Hepatitis B, another sexually transmitted killer, is even higher.

But Vivian is one of the first customers of a service that allows Nigerians to avoid choosing between their safety and their reputation.

Fresh hope

Anonymous service
SlideSafe packages are brightly-colored and give no indication of their contents.
“You could have it in front of your mother and she wouldn’t know,” quips company founder Florida Uzoaru.
SlideSafe packages give nothing away.
SlideSafe packages give nothing away.
The Lagos-based startup is distributing self-testing kits for HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis on a strictly anonymous basis, as well as contraceptives for men and women.

Users can order the packages through the company website for between 2,000 to 7,500 Naira ($5-20), and then perform simple blood tests in their home, receiving the results in 15 minutes.

SlideSafe provides provides a step-by-guide to the process, as well as counseling before and after the test for users who are often nervous.
SlideSafe founder Florida Uzoaru.
SlideSafe founder Florida Uzoaru.

The major challenge for the company is to earn public trust, says Uzoaru, who has a degree in public health policy and a background at healthcare NGOs.

“People are very sensitive about sexual health and want to know you can be trusted,” she says. “Trust comes from people knowing you are reliable, but our customers don’t want to tell other people about us because of the stigma.”

These are early days for SlideSafe, which has sold around 600 kits in the Lagos area. But Uzoaru has big plans to expand into new cities, to test for more diseases, and to establish a dedicated sexual health clinic.

Qualified support
There is growing support for self-testing as a method of controlling sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Nigeria.
The head of the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA) has given a qualified endorsement of self-tests, with the caveat that the products must be government-approved and used in conjunction with expert counseling.
A survey of policy-makers and stakeholders found a majority in favor of introducing self-tests for HIV.

SOURCE ~ CNN

Related Topics:CNN HIV InfectioN Nigeria

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MUSIC

Davido’s ‘Unavailable’ Reaches 100 Million Views On YouTube

Published

24 hours ago

April 17, 2024

Reporter

'Unavailable' Reaches 100 Million Views On YouTube | Fab.ng

There’s no stopping Davido’s “Unavailable”! The song continues to dominate the music scene, racking up impressive accolades and eye-catching streaming numbers. This solidifies its status as a global smash hit. This isn’t just a catchy tune; it’s a cultural phenomenon.

Streaming Domination

The song has surpassed a staggering 100 million streams on both YouTube and Spotify. This is a particularly impressive feat for Davido on Spotify, as “Unavailable” becomes his first single to achieve this milestone on the platform.

Music Video Success

The song’s vibrant music video, featuring South African artist Musa Keys, has also reached the coveted 100 million view mark on YouTube. This adds “Unavailable” to Davido’s exclusive club of songs with over 100 million streams, joining his 2017 hits “If,” “Fall,” and “FIA.”

Critical Acclaim and Industry Impact

The song’s impact extends far beyond streaming numbers. “Unavailable” was even crowned Rihanna’s favourite song of 2023, a huge co-sign from a musical powerhouse. Furthermore, the song dominated the Afrobeats scene, becoming the most streamed Afrobeats release of the year.

Continued Growth

Capitalizing on the song’s success, Davido released a remix EP featuring collaborations with established artists like Jamaican dancehall star Sean Paul and American rapper Latto.

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The song’s international appeal is further solidified by achieving Gold certification in France after surpassing 15 million streams in the country.

Check out more music updates here.

BREAKING NEWS

EFCC Detains Cubana Chief Priest Ahead Of Arraignment Today

Published

1 day ago

April 17, 2024

Reporter

Cubana Chief Priest: Arraigned Over Naira Abuse | Fab.ng

Pascal Okechukwu, also known by his alias Cubana Chief Priest, is slated to make a courtroom appearance today, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. This comes as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) gears up to formally charge him.

Reportedly, the EFCC has held the socialite in custody ahead of his scheduled arraignment before Justice Kehinde Ogundare at the Federal High Court located in Lagos.

Cubana Chief Priest is facing three charges related to the improper handling of Nigerian currency during social gatherings.

The allegations stem from an incident on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel. Here, the EFCC claims Cubana Chief Priest engaged in activities that involved spraying and manipulating ₦500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria. This was for two hours while participating in festivities.

The EFCC’s prosecution team, led by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) along with seven other legal representatives, formally complained on April 4, 2024.

The commission contends that Cubana Chief Priest’s actions violated Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007 and are subject to legal consequences.

In light of the recent conviction of Bobrisky, a prominent figure known for controversial acts, he received a six-month prison sentence for a similar offence. The EFCC released a statement indicating that several celebrities are currently under investigation for alleged misconduct involving the national currency.

In the statement, the agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said,

“Many of them have made useful statements to the commission and many more have been invited by investigators working on the matter.

“The EFCC will not relent in its no-sacred-cow mode of operations and the public should be wary of running afoul of laws against the crime.”

The agency that fights corruption (the anti-graft agency) has been flooded with videos showing people mistreating the Nigerian currency (naira abuse). They made it clear that they would only be looking into and punishing new cases of this kind of behaviour.

Get more updates here.

BREAKING NEWS

Bobrisky To Spend 6 Months In Ikoyi Prison For Naira Abuse

Published

6 days ago

April 12, 2024

Reporter

Bobrisky: 6 Months In Ikoyi Prison For Naira Abuse | Fab.ng

Popular Nigerian influencer Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, was recently sentenced to six months in jail without the option of a fine. The judge, Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos, delivered the sentence on Friday, April 12, 2024.

Bobrisky’s arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last week stemmed from accusations of mutilating Nigerian Naira currency.

The EFCC at the time of the arrest said they had “commenced investigation into her for allegedly spraying naira notes.”

The EFCC investigation revealed that Bobrisky allegedly defaced Nigerian currency at other events in the past. Bobrisky cooperated with the EFCC by showing up for questioning on April 4th and providing statements. The EFCC also initially accused Bobrisky of money laundering, but these charges were dismissed by the court.

Bobrisky: 6 Months In Ikoyi Prison For Naira Abuse | Fab.ng

Bobrisky’s sentence has sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians. Some believe the punishment is too severe for defacing money, which is sometimes done during celebrations in Nigeria.

“She was used as a scapegoat. Why no option of fine, please???? What point are they trying so hard to prove? I hope she learns to not always brag on social media that she is above the law when she gets out too,” someone said.

“They just used her as a scapegoat and if we’re being fair, she doesn’t deserve it. 99% percent of people at events spray money exactly the way she sprayed money in that video. This isn’t fair,” another person said.

Get more updates here.