LASG trains peer educators on HIV prevention, referrals

The Lagos State Government has begun strengthening the capacity of peer educators to provide HIV prevention information, identify people needing support and connect them with health and psychosocial services at community level.

The training, organised by the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, was held on Monday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ikeja.

The intervention comes as the state seeks to strengthen the link between community-based HIV services and the formal healthcare system.

Speaking at the training, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Folakemi Animashaun, said peer educators were critical to the state’s HIV response because of their direct access to communities and their role as trusted sources of information and referrals.

She said the way peer educators interact with people seeking assistance could determine whether they ultimately access testing, prevention, treatment or other support services.

“Every interaction with a peer educator can affect whether a person feels safe enough to seek help,” Animashaun said.

She said the training would equip participants with practical skills in communication, confidentiality, accurate information provision, identification of people requiring additional support and referral to appropriate services.

The LSACA boss also stressed the need for peer educators to adopt non-judgmental approaches when dealing with people requiring assistance.

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“Protect people’s privacy. Give correct information. Make proper referrals. Treat everyone with dignity and respect,” she said.

She added that the harm-reduction training was designed to improve community engagement, referrals and access to health and psychosocial services across Lagos.

Training facilitator Isaac Moses said participants were being equipped to engage beneficiaries appropriately, provide accurate information and link people with relevant services.

He said confidentiality, respect and client-centred engagement were particularly important when working with vulnerable and underserved populations.

Animashaun urged the participants to take the skills acquired back to their communities, saying the impact of the programme would ultimately be measured by improved communication, stronger referral systems and increased access to services.

She also reaffirmed LSACA’s commitment to strengthening the connection between community-based interventions and the state’s formal health system.