{
  "id": 19484900,
  "title": "Lagos offers free HIV tests to workers, trade fair visitors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/lagos-offers-free-hiv-tests-to-workers-trade-fair-visitors-19484900",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-11T11:05:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/lagos-offers-free-hiv-tests-to-workers-trade-fair-visitors/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Lagos State Government has made free HIV testing and counseling services available to public servants and visitors attending the 2026 International Trade Fair in Lagos. This initiative, launched by the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, aims to promote early diagnosis, raise awareness, and improve access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care services. In 2025, Nigeria recorded 102,025 new HIV infections, with Lagos reporting the highest number of cases at 10,430. During the Public Service Week health screening exercise, the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, inaugurated the free screening program. He emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare in building a healthy, productive, and efficient workforce. Agoro called on public servants to utilize the opportunity for confidential testing, professional counseling, and accurate information on HIV prevention, transmission, and treatment. The free HIV testing and counseling services are available at the Lagos Pavilion, Tafawa Balewa Square, from November 6 to 15, 2026. The agency's team provides free and confidential HIV screening, counseling, preventive health information, and guidance on accessing further treatment and care services. The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency reaffirmed its commitment to making HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services accessible, confidential, and free from discrimination.",
  "summary": "The Lagos State Government has expanded access to free HIV testing and counselling services for public servants and visitors at the ongoing 2026 International Trade Fair. Implemented by the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, the initiative aims to promote early diagnosis, increase awareness, and improve access to prevention, treatment, and care services.\n\nAccording to Punch, the intervention was conducted during a health screening exercise for Public Service Week, which was formally opened by the Head of Service, Bode Agoro. Agoro stated that access to preventive healthcare, including HIV screening, is essential for maintaining a healthy and productive workforce. He encouraged public servants to utilize the opportunity for confidential testing and professional counselling.\n\nData from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025 indicates that 102,025 new HIV infections were recorded across Nigeria in 2025. Of these, Lagos accounted for the highest number of new cases at 10,430.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}