The US Head Mission in Nigeria, Charge d’ Affaires, Kathleen Fitzgibbon has said that the United States of America has so far expended 5billion US dollars in Nigeria to fight HIV disease.
Speaking at the official launch of Anti Retroviral Therapy Surge Response and Undetectable Equals Untransmittable (U=U) held at Government House, Makurdi yesterday, Mr Fitzgbbon said that the state has 4.8 per cent HIV/AIDs disease rate.
She called on Benue State Government to show more commitment toward reduction of HIV /AIDS in the State, stating that 150,000 HIV patients are being treated in the state and urged the state government to work hard and find over 45,000 yet to be tested, ensured they are tested and given treatment so as to bring the viral load to a minimal level.
“America has injected over 5 billion dollars for the fight against HIV in Nigeria since 2004.
“So the essence of the program is to keep epidermic under control in two years. You have shown the way. There are dialogues going on and this should continue.
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“The Anti-stigmatization law which has been domesticated should be enforced. The government should continue to focus on stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with the disease.
“People are charged fees to get drug and this discourages them from seeking services. There should be a rapid test for suppression. There is a great stride in Benue. People should talk about HIV/AIDS publicly. Target is to have an HIV/AIDS-free generation”, she said.
The Director-General, National Agency for Control of Aids, Gambo Aliu who also spoke at the event through his representative, Dr Kayode Ogungbemi said that over 24million people are on the antiretroviral drug in the world, one million of them from Nigeria and one hundred and fifty thousand in Benue.
Launching the program, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom appreciated the US government and other agencies for their support to the State, maintaining that their knowledge has been very impactful.
Ortom assured that the stigmatisation law domesticated by the State will be enforced.
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