No fewer than one million residents of Ondo State are expected to be checked for their HIV/AIDS status under the 'Play Safe Initiative' inaugurated by Governor Olusegun Mimiko on Tuesday.
The initiative is a mobile HIV counselling and testing programme aimed at facilitating the fight against HIV/AIDS, a statement by the state Commissioner of Information, Kayode Akinmade, said.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Alli Olanusi, at the inauguration, stressed that people must propagate the message of love to all those affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
He said, "The programme, which is part of the activities marking the World AIDS Day, is targeted at testing one million residents of the state within 12 months and sustain government's efforts at reducing HIV cases to the barest minimum.
"People should take charge of their lives and know their HIV status by utilising the free HIV Testing and Counselling programme put in place by the government. Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDS will continue to partner stakeholders towards improving the fight against HIV/AIDS endemic."
Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of ODSACA, Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, said the initiative was a demonstration of the government's commitment to the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.
He said the state would ensure that minimum of 58,000 persons were tested in each of the local government areas in the state through the Local Action Committee on AIDS and civil societies.
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