In a bid to control the spread of the virus and create awareness, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency has screened 2000 market men and women for HIV and AIDS at Ebute Oluwo Fish Market in Epe.
This was done under the agency’s free HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) programme.
The market’s Baba Oja-General Alhaji Dauda Kayode praised the turnout, stating the fact that the market population was quite high.
According to Mrs. Folashade Ojikutu, the market’s Iyalaje, women were the major beneficiaries because the about 95 per cent of the market population are women.
She also said that the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and AIDS awareness campaign was important to their existence as market women.
No one wants to die and leave her baby behind” – Mrs Ojikutu said.
A trader, Mrs Muyinat Lawal also praised the exercise stating that it would advance their health.