The Edo State Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDs (EDO-SACA) on Friday distributed condoms to residents of Auchi as part of activities to commemorate the 2016 International Aids Candle Light Memorial.
The memorial is scheduled to hold on Sunday.
Dr Marietu Binkola, the Project Manager of the agency, who led the team, stated that the exercise was to create awareness and help in preventing HIV and AIDs.
“We've more than 2,000 condoms that we're distributing. We've different varieties and we even have female condoms to give out for free.
“The major way of preventing HIV is by using condom; prevention is better than cure and if you must have s3x use condom,” Binkola stated.
She stated that activities for the 2016 international candle light memorial were in consoce with the theme, “Unite to Demand a Sustainable HIV Response.”
As stated by her, the theme was chosen to emphasis the importance of condoms and prevention of s3xually transmitted diseases.
“The International Day for Candle Light Memorial is a platform that has been on for the past 33 years.
“This is the 33rd edition. We've been doing it in Benin; this year we want to do it across the three senatorial districts.
“What we mainly do is sensitise the general public to the danger and prevention of HIV and Aids.
“Globally, there has been a great decline in the use and availability of condoms; that is why we're advocating for more use of the mode of protection,” Binkola stated.
She stated that the agency would also organise community outreach on HIV and AIDs, counselling, testing, sensitisation and awareness campaign across the senatorial districts.
“We're carrying out AIDs counselling and testing for the general populace and it is free of charge
“For those who have already had the virus, we will lead them for treatment,” she stated.
The NAN reports that the International Aids Candlelight Memorial takes place every third Sunday of May, every year, to remember all those who had died of HIV/AIDS.
During the memorial, names are usually read out by a cross section of communities, including family members and partners.