HIV rate in Abia below national average – Otti

Abia State First Lady, Priscilla Chidinma Otti says the HIV rate in Abia is below the national average, but a significant challenge.

Priscilla Chidinma Otti stated this Tuesday in Umuahia on the occasion of World Aids Day celebrated, stating, “Abia State has over 56,000 people living with HIV, representing a 1.9% prevalence rate among adults – slightly below the national average but still a significant challenge”.

“Tragically, women and children make up 60% of those affected, underscoring the urgency of our mission. We must stop this pandemic in our state. Today, I make a clarion call for collective and decisive action. The fight against HIV/AIDS is not for the government or health agencies alone – it demands the unwavering support of every individual, family, and community”.

The tireless efforts to raise awareness, promote safe behaviours, and connect individuals to care and support services by the Abia State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS and the Ministry of Health, she said are commendable.

This year’s theme, “Take the Right Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children” she said, “challenges us to confront a harsh reality: children are being infected through preventable means such as mother-to-child transmission, unsterilized medical equipment, drug abuse and, more alarmingly, through unprotected sex.

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“Children living with HIV endure frequent illnesses, malnutrition, cognitive impairments, and social stigmatization – barriers that limit their potential and aspirations. This is not the future we envision for our children. Therefore, to reduce the burden and eliminate future spread, we must “Strengthen free testing for Pregnant Women, Provide Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): Every person living with HIV should have access to free ART. No hoarding, no bureaucracy, encourage Safer Delivery Methods, educate and empower, and prioritize regular checkups.”

“Additionally, we must address underlying causes, including poverty and lack of education, which are significant contributors to high-risk behaviours that increase HIV vulnerability” stating that Gov. Alex Otti’s administration is tackling these root causes through poverty alleviation programs, youth empowerment initiatives, and skill acquisition training, keeping children in school and life skills education.

“We also recognise the intersection of gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV. Women and girls who are survivors of GBV are at heightened risk of infection. To combat this, we are actively enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and translating it into local languages to ensure broader understanding and accessibility”, stating that the leadership of Governor Otti, Abia State has prioritized health sector reforms, including increased access to ART, enhanced testing services, and partnerships with stakeholders to strengthen healthcare delivery.

In her remarks, the coordinator of the Network of People Living With HIV/AIDs in Nigeria, NEWPHAN Rebecca Eze expressed the desire of her group to join hands with all across the state to “tone-affirm our commitment to ending AIDS by 2030”, while the Abia State Action on AIDS, ABSACA, Dr. Uloaku Emma-Ukaegbu said, “we are winning the war and will continue to do so”.

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