NACA Partners Media to Drive Public Acceptance of New HIV/AIDS Drug, Prevention

By Nasir SHU'AIBU Bauchi

NACA Partners Media to Drive Public Acceptance of New HIV/AIDS Drug, Prevention 

By Nasir SHU'AIBU Bauchi 

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has called on journalists to champion awareness of the new HIV/AIDS therapy and prevention across the twenty local government areas in the state and beyond.

This call was made by the North-East Zonal Coordinator of NACA, Mr. Tobias John, during a one-day media engagement for selected journalists organized in collaboration with the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (BACATMA) in Bauchi. He noted that the media plays a key role in spreading hope and boosting the uptake of the new HIV/AIDS medication.

Tobias explained that the main objective of the training was to reinvigorate media support in creating awareness about HIV prevention and reducing stigmatization associated with the disease. He added that unless new infections are prevented, the state would continue to record more cases.

According to him, “In 2024, Bauchi State recorded over 200 new infections, which are avoidable. The state needs to do more in terms of media awareness to reach the general public.”

He observed that Mass media have a critical role to play in shaping public understanding of HIV issues, how innovations in HIV are presented and how scientific controversies are interpreted which most of the new media professionals are not the same as those trained years ago, hence the need to build the capacity of the younger journalists on how to effectively disseminate accurate information especially to people in rural areas who lack the privilege of knowing what is happening in the urban centers and still hold myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS.

He advised individuals to take ownership of educating and sensitizing people within their own spaces, noting that through information and knowledge, people can be empowered. Those on treatment will be encouraged to adhere to their medications, while others will learn how to protect themselves.

While encouraging the uptake of the new drugs and adherence to prevention measures, he emphasized that the spread of HIV can be prevented if individuals adopt the use of condoms, practice abstinence, or remain faithful to one partner.

He further warned the general public against believing social media messages or advertisements claiming to cure the disease, stressing that there is no cure for HIV, only prevention and proper management.

Also speaking, the Program Officer of BACATMA said the essence of the training was to correct the wrong perception that the agency is promoting the use of condoms, clarifying that the aim is to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of avoidable circumstances.

Participants interviewed after the training expressed delight over the initiative and pledged to support NACA in achieving its mandate through their various media platforms.