Our Correspondent|24 December 2016
As at Wednesday, 22nd of December 2016, a total of 3,533 people have accessed the Wise-Up Zone with a total 2030 HIV Counseling and Testing carried out leaving 7,077 pieces of Information, Education and Communication materials have so far been distributed along with over 53, 000 units of both male and female condoms. So far 23 persons (13male and 10female) have tested positive to the virus and they already undergoing counseling as the Wise-Up Cross River State campaign is running a ‘Test and Treat’ policy.
The condom distribution has been intensified over the week as well as work rate by the various volunteer groups as they look to test more people before the close of the event. The tent now has an after dark shift that runs between 10pm and 2am to allow those that return late from work as well as the night crawlers get access to the facility.
The Blue Tent was graced with the presence of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, who silently aired her support for the campaign by undergoing a test. She said "It's such a beauty to see what the Wise-Up Cross River State is doing here at the zone; it's so amazing to be here. It is awesome to see youths come out to encourage other youths to live healthy; there's no better feeling.
"Thumbs up to UNFPA for this brilliant idea and also the Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF), the Cross River State Ministry of Health (CRSMOH), the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Medical Women Association of Nigeria Cross River State chapter (MWAN, CRS) and other partners for making this possible. The youths are really having fun and getting enlightened at the same time; it's so amazing. We shall continue to push for a healthy Cross River State in the best ways possible, and this is one of such ways. Thank you.”, she concluded.
She joined the rank of top government functionaries and other soft celebrities who have visited the popular blue tent inside the Christmas village.
Meanwhile the number of adolescent has also been on the rise in the past few days as more and more of them visit the tent which is gradually becoming popular among Calabar residents. These adolescents aged between 12 and 17 have been trooping in for various reasons as expected; some to get glances of what the place looks like while the others just want to broaden their sexual knowledge and collect some condoms whilst receiving HIV counseling.
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