FASHOLA LEADS BY EXAMPLE

In an effort to sensitive the Lagos Populace

Fashola, Commissioners Undergo HIV/AIDS

TestBy Gboyega Akinsanmi, 03.23.2010

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) yesterday led some members of the State Executive Council to undergo free HIV/AIDS screening carried out in the Governor’s Office in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.some commissioners and special advisers tactically declined to undergo the test when Fashola declared that the exercise was optional and not mandatory.It was gathered that some aides jokingly refused the screening and stayed behind and made fun of their colleagues who offered to take the risk and opt for the test after the governor had entered the makeshift tent on the governor’s office, at about 12: noon.
Though the aides neither refused nor show sign of compliance before living the EXCO Chamber, some commissioners and special advisers at the makeshift refused to enter the tent when it was their turn, thus teasing those who underwent the exercise.Speaking after he went through the exercise yesterday, Fashola urged Lagos indigenes and residents to undergo the HIV/AIDS screening provided free in all government hospitals across the state.He added that knowing one’s status at the ongoing free tests in public hospitals would help to improve the health and general medical life of citizens.
According to him, knowing one’s status does not amount to death sentence since government has put in place measures to treat those tested positive free.”Urging the residents to be vigilant on the killer diseases, the governor said his government has put in place clear and uncommon measures to treat whoever is tested positive freely.
added that the motive of the exercise was to enable the EXCO members know their status, and also convince residents on the need to come out and make use of the opportunity. He said it would also serve as a good opportunity for those at the corridor of power to show leadership by example, adding that members of the state House of Assembly have undergone the test.
According to him, the essence is based on our belief that members of the EXCO should know what their status is and we also believe that if the leaders come out and get tested the people will know that it is a good thing and they will take advantage of it.
“The exercise is going on freely across various state Hospitals and primary health centers in the state. We have public service announcement that we go out to let people know that testing positive is not the end of the world.“Before now, people used to be afraid of the screening, but there are treatment available and the test is confidential. Besides there are laws now that the state has enacted to protect those living with HIV,” he explained.