Over 80,000 people living with HIV in Ondo ― NACA

THE National Agency for Control of Aids (NACA) has confirmed that no fewer than 81,481 persons are living with the dreaded virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Ondo state.

This was disclosed by the Director General of the agency, Dr Sani Aliu, during a sensitisation visit to Ondo, in Ondo West Local Government area of the state.

The NACA boss who was represented by Mrs Josephine Kalu, the Director of Resource Mobilisation of NACA, however, noted that only about 10,000 persons out of the affected persons were on treatment in the state.

He said, “Based on spectrum estimate we have, 81,481 persons are living with HIV in Ondo State as at 2017 and out of the figure, 10,000 persons are on treatment with 2,783 pregnant women.

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“Also, the estimate for new HIV infection is 5,439 persons.

Speaking while on a courtesy visit to the palace of Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo, the NACA frowned over the rate of infected people in the state,

He said the survey indicated that the continued spread of the disease in the state, saying the survey is the largest HIV population based survey in Nigeria being supported by the United States and Global Funds.

He however said the visit became imperative to seek the support of the traditional ruler and community leaders to stem down the growing rate of the HIV in the state

He said the visit was to seek support of the king to mobilise his subjects for NACA survey in the area and to sensitise the people of the area.

He added that the survey was important for proper planning and development of strategies that would lead to eradication of HIV and hepatitis B and C.

“The focus of the survey is able to gather data that will help to fight current level of HIV and hepatitis B and C as we are looking at 2030 for HIV free generation.

“We cannot but have data that can be effectively used to fight these,” he said.

Aliu, therefore, enjoined more domestic resources to curb HIV in Ondo state and Nigeria as a whole.

In his words, Oba Kiladejo described as worrisome the high rate of persons living with HIV, urging the agencies and government to make available more funds and counselling in order to combat the disease.

The NACA team who had earlier paid a visit to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro, stressed the need for the state government to embark on sensitilisation programme

Adegbenro commended the agency for its continued support, saying that the survey would no doubt address problems of public health.

He therefore promised that the state government would give its support for the success of the survey.