The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has announced the commencement of its Statewide Free HIV Testing Services scheduled to hold across all Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) from 18th November to 1st December 2025.

This initiative forms a major component of activities lined up for the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration and reinforces LSACA’s commitment to expanding access to HIV testing, promoting early diagnosis, and strengthening linkage to care.

The Agency aims to close existing testing gaps while deepening community awareness on HIV prevention, management and stigma reduction.

Speaking on the upcoming exercise, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr Folakemi Animashaun, emphasised the critical role of early testing in advancing the state’s public health objectives.

“As we approach the 2025 World AIDS Day, our priority is to ensure that every resident of Lagos has the opportunity to know their HIV status in a safe, confidential, and accessible manner. Testing remains the gateway to prevention and treatment and this statewide exercise underscores our commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of all Lagosians.”

Dr Animashaun added that LSACA, working in collaboration with development partners and community-based organisations, has deployed trained counsellor-testers, adequate testing kits, condoms and IEC materials to ensure smooth implementation across the state.

She further encouraged residents to take advantage of the designated testing points within their LGAs and LCDA’s to access the free, confidential and non-judgmental services.

Re-affirming the state government’s dedication to improving healthcare access, she highlighted ongoing efforts to expand HIV testing and counselling centres as well as intensify awareness campaigns aimed at preventing new infections and ensuring residents have access to necessary prevention, testing and treatment resources.