23,306 people living with HIV in Nasarawa – AHF

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has raised fresh concern over the HIV burden in Nasarawa State, revealing that 23,306 residents are currently living with the virus, as it took its World AIDS Day sensitisation campaign to Keffi.

Speaking during the road show and health talk, AHF Nasarawa State Coordinator, Dr Ibrāhīm Bichi, said the state’s 2.0% HIV prevalence rate underscores the urgency of intensified awareness, prevention, testing and treatment efforts.

“This commemoration is aimed at promoting awareness, prevention, testing, and care, while showing solidarity with those impacted by HIV/AIDS in the community and beyond.

“Nasarawa State has a prevalence rate of 2.0 per cent, with an estimated 23,306 people living with HIV requiring treatment.

“AHF and the state government are working closely to address various HIV/AIDS challenges,” he said.

Bichi added that AHF is working closely with the state government to address challenges associated with HIV/AIDS.

AHF Medical Director, Emmanuel Nwabueze, said the foundation is strengthening its daily campaigns to help eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030.

He noted that AHF is equally deliberate in expanding access to treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and promoting general wellness.

“AHF is determined to provide seamless and accessible STIs services to the people,” he said, adding that the organisation is working to establish a wellness centre in Nasarawa State, similar to those already launched in Benue and Abuja.

The centre, he explained, will offer services including free condom education and distribution.

Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager at AHF Nigeria, Steve Aborisade, commended all partners for supporting the programme, pledging that AHF would continue strengthening collaborations to address STIs across the country.

“As an organisation, we will partner with young people and other partners to address the various challenges facing us,” he said.

Director of Primary Health Care (PHC) Keffi, Dogara Danjum, also stressed the need for sustained collaboration to tackle STIs, noting that PHC teams were intensifying campaigns in local communities.

A representative of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Folarin Favour, said corps members were actively engaged in educating young people throughout the state on the dangers of STIs. She thanked AHF for involving NYSC in the PET programme.

Similarly, representative of the Young Peoples Programme (YPP) in Keffi, Michael Catherine Ishor, said the project had trained them on the risks associated with STIs and empowered them to reach out to other youths on how to protect their health.

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