A non-governmental Organisation (NGO), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF Nigeria), has launched a wellness centre in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, for the screening and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
Speaking to newsmen during the inauguration yesterday, the Senior Regional Medical Manager, Dr John Ugboji, explained that the facility is a one-stop shop for treatment of STIs and general wellness.
According to him, AHF Nigeria has been on the ground in the state, implementing HIV services since 2011. To provide seamless and accessible services to the people, he added: “We started the wellness clinic in Benue and in Abuja to bring STIs services closer to the people.”
Ugboji went on: “We observed that a lot of people also must deal with STIs, whereas there is little or no attention being devoted to STIs.
“The centre commenced operation in December 2024 but decided to officially launch it today (yesterday) and to let the public be aware of the available services on offer, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and provide skeletal services on Saturdays. All services are free of charge, from counselling, testing to treatment.”
He clarified that besides STI treatment, the centre also provides free cervical cancer screening for eligible women, free condom education and distribution. Other services include family planning, menstrual health management and free sanitary pads for young girls. Ugboji, who is also the Coordinator of the AHF Programme in the state, added that the facility was the second AHF Wellness Centre in the country after Abuja.
Also speaking, the Marketing and Advocacy Manager, AHF Nigeria, Steve Aborishade, canvassed the need “to normalise health-seeking behaviours and seeking treatment when faced with health challenges.”
AHF Medical Director, Dr Emmanuel Nwabueze, said one must not have an STI to access their services, urging the public to come for screening and treatment for their well-being.
Acting Executive Secretary, Benue State Action Committee on AIDS (BENSACA), Wanngo Titus, said the state is proud to embrace the initiative, pleading with the people to make maximum use of the centre.
