The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi has commissioned a Youth Friendly Centre domiciled in the institution’s ‘Special Hostel’, just as she warned against stigmatization and discrimination against those living with the HIV/AIDS virus.

The Commission of the Youth Friendly Centre was part of activities to mark the 2021 World AIDS Day organized by the Cross River State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS(SACA).

Speaking shortly after commissioning the center, the Vice Chancellor said the center, funded by the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) is for counselling of students generally, especially on issues of HIV/AIDS and other sundry matters.

While commending SACA for marking the World AIDS day, she admonished youths to be gender sensitive and urged them not to be discriminatory against those with the virus.

The University Administrator who described the occasion as a ‘unique one’, urged everyone to take advantage of SACA’S sensitization campaign against HIV/AIDS to prevent mother-child transmission.

She promised to always collaborate with SACA in the onerous task of sensitizing the populace on HIV/AIDS related issues.

 Earlier, Director-General of SACA, Dr. Esther Ansa said living with the virus is not a death sentence as carriers can still live a healthy life through proper medical checkup and medication.

The SACA DG who led youths on a walk from the University of Calabar main gate to commemorate the World AIDS Day, said that the aim of the event was to create awareness, sensitize and educate the youths on the existence of HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Ansa urged youths and the general public to go for Medical checkup regularly as this will enhance healthy living.

In her words “I want to remind ourselves that HIV is real and still in existence” so I urged you to maintain zero tolerance concerning HIV/AIDS.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Calabar South Local Government Area, Hon. Esther Bassey charged the youths to be conscious in dealing with the virus.

Hon. Bassey said that abstinence is the best and sure way of preventing the virus.

On her part, Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu said the state is committed to ending inequality, HIV/AIDS as well as the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Edu said that years back, Cross River was second in the nation with 6.6 percent of HIV/AIDS prevalence but with the full support of the present administration, the prevalent rate has drastically dropped to 1.8 percent in 2021.