The HIV/AIDS Unit was established since the inception of WHARC. The unit was set up as a response to the spread of the HIV infection in the century. Our objective is to carryout evidence informed advocavy and research on the social behaviours related to HIV transmission.
With funding from from the MacArthur, Rockefeller and Ford Foundations, WHARC has implemented successful STDs and HIV/AIDS prevention programs among youths in Edo state, Nigeria. One of these projects has focused exclusively on out-of-school adolescents, using an integrated developmental approach to provide continuing sexuality education and reproductive health services to out-of-school youths. In 2002, WHARC obtained funding from Global Health Council to increase the capacity of community nurses/midwives in Edo State to provide HIV/AIDS counselling and home-based care for PLWHAs. These efforts have increased the effectiveness of the health community responses to HIV/AIDS prevention and care in Edo State. In addition, WHARC enjoys a healthy working relationship with the State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA). We provide technical assistance to SACA and we were involved in their launch of Keep Hope Alive Organization - an unbrella organization for PLHAs in Edo State. Indeed, the Secretary of this organization is an associate of WHARC.
WHARC has previously coordinated the Edo State Chapter of the Civial Society for HIV/AIDS (CiSHAN). The unit is managed by a Program Officer - Miss Helen C. Obi, and two Assistant Program Officers - Miss Iyabo McOliver and Mrs Grace Okereke Johnson.
Our services at the HIV/AIDS unit include : Capacity building of NGOs, individuals, and corporate bodies for HIV prevention, as well as evidence informed advocacy.