The director general of the National Agency for Control of Aids (NACA), Dr. Sani Aliu, has revealed that no fewer than 81,481 persons are living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Ondo State.
Aliu disclosed this in Ondo West local government area on Thursday when he visited the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo in his palace to seek the king’s support to mobilise his subjects for NACA survey in the area.
The survey is tagged: Nigeria Aids Indicator and Impact Survey.
NAN reports that the director general who was represented by the director of resource mobilisation also said 10,000 persons out of the affected persons were on treatment.
“Based on spectrum estimate we have 81,481 persons that are living with HIV in Ondo State as at 2017 and out of the figure 10,000 persons are on treatment including 2,783 pregnant women. Also, the estimate for new HIV infection is 5,439 persons,” he said.
Aliu said the survey is the largest HIV population based survey in Nigeria and is supported by the U.S. and Global Funds.
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 hepatitis C.
“The focus of the survey is able to gather data that will help to fight current level of HIV and hepatitis B and hepatitis C as we are looking at 2030 for a HIV-free generation.
“We cannot but have data that can be effectively used to fight these,” he said.
The director general therefore enjoined more domestic resources to curb HIV.
In his remarks, the king commended NACA’s efforts and urged it to do more on counselling and to focus more in the vulnerable areas.
He expressed worry about the high number of persons living with HIV and asked for more funds to fight it.
