HSCL ACE 3 CONDUCTS HIV DISCLOSURE/ PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PrEP) TRAINING FOR STAKEHOLDERS IN KEBBI STATE
Healthcare professionals and stakeholders across Kebbi State converged on Kamba Motel, Birnin Kebbi on Monday June 10, 2024 for 3-day training on HIV Disclosure/ Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). The training which lasted through Wednesday June 12 had fifty-five (55) healthcare professionals and stakeholders in attendance, including the PrEP Focal Persons, Ministry of Health Representatives, Religious Leaders, ART Nurses and Doctors, Community Cluster Leads and Testers.
The training emphasized the importance of HIV disclosure for People Living with HIV (PLHIV), a crucial step in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Disclosure remains a challenging issue as many PLHIV choose to keep their status secret due to stigma and discrimination, leading to sub-optimal engagement with treatment and prevention services.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children as young as six should be supported to disclose their HIV status, yet Nigeria has not established a standardized age limit. This gap often results in poor treatment outcomes.
Additionally, the event underscored the effectiveness of PrEP in preventing HIV transmission, contingent on proper adherence.
The Deputy Director of Public Health at the Kebbi State Ministry of Health, Alhaji Usman Magaji delivered a goodwill message in which he stated that training healthcare providers in PrEP and HIV disclosure would improve their ability to reach and support those in need, adding that the training is an investment in the health and well-being of communities.
“PrEP is a key part of stopping new HIV infections. By giving people the knowledge and tools to protect themselves, we're moving towards a future without HIV” he concluded.
The Kebbi State SACA Program Manager Malam Usman Magoro also emphasized the critical role of HIV prevention services in healthcare facilities and commended the HSCL Ace 3 for enhancing healthcare worker capacity.
The event included comprehensive training on best practices for HIV disclosure and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Participants were trained on addressing sub-optimal partner testing and elicitation practices, enhancing healthcare workers' knowledge of HIV disclosure strategies and PrEP and practical learning sessions designed to equip case workers with hands-on experience.
Breakout sessions were on facilitating practical learning and engagement strategies and introduction to new PrEP dosage forms and their administration. There was also a practical demonstration on the use of female condom as a preventative measure against HIV transmission.
The training was led by the Lead HTS Advisor in person of Steven P. Takwi along with the Kebbi HTS Advisor Famubo Joseph and the Zamfara HTS Advisor John Ibrahim, who provided expert insights and facilitated the sessions.
Accelerating control of HIV Epidemic in Nigeria Cluster three (ACE3) is a 5- year USAID funded project designed to promote best practices in facilitating HIV/AIDS epidemic control in 3 high security risk Northwestern states of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara in Nigeria.