As part of activities lined up for this year’s World Aids Week in Anambra state, a novelty football match was yesterday held at the ABS football field, Awka. The novelty match between two teams christened Team “A” and Team “B” ended at one- one draw.
The match organized by Anambra State AIDS Control Agency, ANSACA in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Health, was aimed at fighting the stigma that often alienate people living with HIV/AIDS from social events and sporting activities.
Ebele Ezeh reports that among the spectators were the Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the ABS, Chief Uche Nwora, Executive Director, Anambra AIDS Control Agency, ANSACA, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, who also was one of the players, the Director, News and Current Affairs Department of the ABS, Mr. Gab Okpalaeze, including some staff of the ABS and that of the Agency.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Okpala, announced that the state HIV prevalence rate has dropped from nine point to four point and measures have been put in place to further draw down the number.
Dr Okpala, who attributed the feat to Governor Willie Obiano’s war against HIV/AIDS, restates government’s commitment towards ensuring that people living with HIV/AIDS are taken good care of for them to live longer.
Contributing, Dr. Ibezim, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Indigenous Medicine and Herbal Practice, identified the novelty match as the fourth in the line of activities for the week-long event that kicked off with march pass and awareness campaign.
In his speech, the host, Chief Nwora, while describing football as a unifying factor in human life, said it promotes healthy living.
The novelty match climaxed with the presentation of an award to Dr. Ibezim by the Executive Director, Hero’s Health Community Support Initiative, Mr. Chidiebere Anibueze for his immeasurable support towards them.
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