Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator & Impart Survey Results launched by President Mohammed Burahi at Aso Villa on Thursday has indicated that 1.9 million Nigerians currently live with HIV, just as he said Nigeria cannot still celebrate this.
The survey, which puts the National Prevalence of HIV dropping from 3.0 per cent in 2014 to 1.4 per cent has Akwa Ibom taken over from Benue as worst affected state by HIV.
According to the survey, the seven states with high prevalence are Akwa Ibom (5.6%): Benue (4.9%); Rivers (3.8%); and Taraba(2.7%). Others are Anambra (2.4%); Enugu (2.1%) and Abia (2.1%).
The survey sponsored by Global Fund recorded HIV prevalence among females is significantly higher at an estimated 1.9%, with male prevalence estimated at 0.9%.
According to the survey, the seven states with high prevalence account for 50% of the overall estimated number of persons living with HIV in Nigeria.
The survey, which indicated that South-south geopolitical zone was affected most by HIV, indicated that females make up the majority of the persons living with HIV, in all geopolitical zones with the exception of the North-West, where the trend is the reverse.
In addition, the survey found that 42 per cent of infections occurs amongst persons practicing ‘low-risk’ sex, a subpopulation that includes cohabiting or married sexual partners.
The size estimate of the key population identified Kaduna state with the highest number of female sex workers and people who inject drugs active hotspots with Kano State identified as the state with the highest numbers of men who have sex with men active hotspots.
President Muhammad Buhari presenting the survey stated that although HIV prevalence has reduced to 1.4 per cent, Nigeria cannot still celebrate because currently about a million of Nigerians with the virus is currently not on treatment.
Buhari said the data would afford effective planning for HIV and well as make progress on HIV measurable.
ALSO READ: Man cleared of HIV virus infection after stem cell transplant
The president, however, said that to end AIDs, Nigeria needs a more coordinated and funded response.
He then directed detail consultation with sectorial ministries, civil societies, governments of the 7 most HIV affected states, and other stakeholders to chart a new strategy built on the data to end AIDS in Nigeria.
Health Minister, Professor Isaac Adewole stated that although HIV HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria has contracted, the total number of people affected by the disease is still huge based on our population.
He assured that initiatives like the Saving One Million Lives project (SOML) and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) would be able to cushion the effect of the disease through the provision of free ANC, PMTCT to pregnant women in addition to other services.
He declared “greater emphasis will be place on preventing HIV transmission to babies so that no baby is born positive.”
Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Sani Aliyu stated ““It is important that all people living with HIV get into treatment and achieve viral suppression. To halt the epidemic, we need to act now. As a government working with our partners, we have what it takes to support persons who are HIV-positive, to provide treatment, to protect their families and to help people live long and healthy lives,”
and then