HIV Self-Test: ILO Advocates Increase Testing At Workplace,

As part of its efforts to assist Nigeria in its challenges, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has collaborated with stakeholders to scale up the use of HIV self-testing (HIVST).

According to NIGERIAN TRIBUNE, HIV self-testing is one of the innovative strategies employed to improve HIV case finding in the country. Information Guide Nigeria

The collaboration which is between the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMoLE), National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Federal Ministry of Health, National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NASCP), National Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), World Health Organization (WHO), and Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Jhpiego) is centered on training of peer educators in workplaces on the use of HIV self-testing.

According to NIGERIA TRIBUNE, HIV self-testing, HIVST refers to a process in which a person collects his or her own specimen (oral fluid or blood) and then performs a HIV test and interprets the result, often in a private setting, either alone or with someone he or she trusts.

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Speaking, the Director, ILO Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Liaison office for ECOWAS, Ms. Vanessa Phala said: “The initiative has tested more than 4.3 million workers in a span of three and a half years globally including Nigeria – 69 per cent of the men”.

According to Ms Phala, HIV self-testing at workplaces gives workers more choices, greater confidentiality, and convenience.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE reports that the Director Occupational, Safety and Health Department of the FMoLE, Mrs Lauretta Adogu said that implementation of effective HIV testing and access to treatment in the workplaces is not only critical for achieving robust growth and improved performance but is also necessary a better future.

Also speaking, the acting General Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Bello Ismail, said that the initiative is a welcome development.

Comrade Ismail encouraged Nigerian workers to access HIV self-testing and know their status.

THIS DAY reports that  Dr. Babayemi Olakunde, a Representative of NACA stated that access to HIVST kits in the workplace will contribute to the country’s effort to ending the HIV epidemic in Nigeria by 2030.

According to NIGERIAN TRIBUNE, the workplace is seen as an important community delivery channel for HIVST kits in order to workers who do not know their status.

The workshop was attended by 30 online participators and 40 peer educators drawn from the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government, private sector, and labour unions. Jamb Result

Speaking at the end of the training, many participants said that their training expectations were met adding that they have been more equipped to function effectively as peer educators in their workplace.

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