The leader of a traditional healing body and chairman, National Association of Nigeria Trado-Medicine Practitioners in Rivers state, Chief Dr. Eugene Aworiabo, has called for a proactive and sustained grassroots approach in tackling the challenges of HIV/AIDS in the state and the country as a whole.
Chief Aworiabo said this recently after a special rally in Abuja by the NANTMP members.
According to him, HIV and AIDS pose a great danger to national development, economic growth and prosperity because of the prevalence of the scourge among the most productive segment of the human population.
The chairman said that any disease that endangers children, youths and women has a serious implication for not just the immediate generation, but also for future leaders.
He said, “We must mobilize all the means capable of stemming the current tide of cases of HIV/AIDS because any further delay will be tantamount to playing the ostrich and preparing the ground for an avoidable disaster.
“We need more road shows, community, school-based clubs, demonstrative events, handbills, stickers and other instructional materials on HIV/AIDS that can be integrated into the machinery designed to curb the menace in our society like the traditional medicine,” he explained.
The global economic crunch, he said, has made it imperative that a more dynamic and sustained approach be put in place.
He called on parents and guardians to always “educate their wards and children on the cause and prevention of life scourge so that they can live and become the leaders of tomorrow”.
The NANTMP boss implored governments, traditional rulers and healers, community leaders, corporate organizations and NGOs to intensify the war against the menace because only a healthy citizenry could build a virile and prosperous nation. ###
Senibo A. Atagbara
