In commemoration of the Valentine’s Day celebration, RB Durex partnered with United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) through the donation of 100,000 units of condoms to improve the s*xual health and wellbeing of Nigerians. This is in line with the company’s continuous commitment to being a socially responsible organization.
At the 2017 Worlds Aid Day, Dr. Sani Aliyu, the Director General, NACA revealed that, since the first case of HIV was reported in Nigeria in 1986, about 1.5million deaths and over 5million new HIV infections have been averted. HIV prevalence has also been reduced from a peak of 5.8% in 2001 to 3.0% in 2014 while new HIV infections has been reduced by 56% and annual AIDS related death by 22% in the last six years.
Speaking at HIV/AIDS awareness forum in Abuja, Marketing Director RB West Africa Aliza Leferink stated that the partnership between RB, NACA and UNAIDs will further advance the s*xual and reproductive health agenda in Nigeria.
“We are celebrating the collaboration with NACA and UNAIDS by donating 100,000 condoms, in the journey to eradicating HIV in Nigeria. “Our vision is good s*x for everybody and protected and safe s*x, as well as enjoyable s*x. With regards to protection, Durex, apart from donating condoms, has series of s*xual health education campaign, using various media platforms to educate and improve s*xual health of Nigerians.”
Commenting on the new cases of HIV infections in Nigeria, Mr. Richard Amenyah, Global Fund Implementation Adviser, UNAIDS, said on a daily basis, there are about 5,000 new HIV infections globally, out of which Nigeria contributes about 700 new infections in the country everyday. Amenyah also added that Nigeria has the biggest HIV burden in West and Central Africa, representing about 53 per cent of the burden in the sub-region, while it contributed about 60 per cent of new infections in the region in 2016.
He said, ”Definitely we need to do something about this issue, because that is the only way we can end the AIDS epidemic in Nigeria. “This is an issue for us, that we need to be able to work with the government of Nigeria; work with civil societies; work with the private sector to try and reduce this HIV burden on this country. That is why we are associating ourselves with all opportunities to reduce new infections in the country. “We want to encourage the private sector that they have a role to play in support of government. Government cannot do it all. Private sector needs to come on board, just as RB Durex has actually come on board to provide 100,000 condoms. This is 100,000 s*xual acts that are protected. We know there are unprotected s*x going on in Nigeria, and that is why new infections are going up.”
Speaking at the event, Bayode Akanbi Senior Brand Manager Healthcare RB also stated that RB is enthusiastic to partner with UNAIDS and NACA to curb the menace of HIV & AIDs by providing Nigerians with needed education leveraging traditional and new media formats while improving access to Durex the Worlds number 1 Condom brand. Being a socially responsible organization, this represents our modest contribution to this fight.
Over the years, RB has been at the forefront for cause-related initiatives that further the progress of Nigeria on UN Sustainable Development Goals such as reduction in infant mortality from preventable diseases such as diarrhea and malaria, improved public health and sanitation from reduced open defecation problem and now partnering to reduce HIV related deaths. Its brands, which are popular household names such as Dettol, Mortein and Harpic, have active partnerships with Federal Ministry of Health (MoH), Save the Children (STC), Nigerian Medical association which worked to educate new mothers, school children and reach LGAs like Shomolu in Lagos to promote good healthy habits like handwashing and to build a healthier nation.
The United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) is the main advocate for accelerated, comprehensive and coordinated global action on the HIV/AIDS pandemic. UNAIDS provides the strategic direction, advocacy, coordination and technical support needed to catalyse and connect leadership from governments, the private sector and communities to deliver life-saving HIV services. Without UNAIDS, there would be no strategic vision for the AIDS response. This huge donation will go a long way to support our objective of delivering life-saving HIV services in Nigeria.”
