With about 35 million people living with HIV/Aids (PLWHA) and 34 million people who have died from AIDS all around the world, the Kogi State Government has reiterated its commitment to ensure that 92,505 out of 97,426 people living with the virus who are yet to access Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) in the state start treatment.
The State Chief of staff, Pharmacist Nasiru Yunusa, made the commitment when KOSACA team members, Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society Organisations in the state, made a stop at Government House recently during 2014 World AIDS Day rally and procession to mark the day in Lokoja, the state capital.
Pharmacist Yunusa, who represented the governor, Capt Idris Wada while addressing the crowd, also promised that the state government will ensure that the state bill on anti-discrimination and safe blood be passed into law and assented to as part of its effort to avoid stigma and discrimination.
Earlier, the Project Manager of KOSACA, Dr Musa Gabriel, noted that as at December 2013, 97, 426 people were living with HIV in the state out of which only 4, 921 are on treatment. This indicates that, 92, 505 persons are yet to receive ART.
“Only 20.3% are currently receiving treatment, meaning that 79.7% of PLHIV are not on treatment. Also, only 917 pregnant women out of 1,336 who tested positive are currently receiving antiretroviral prophylaxis for Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) representing 68.3%.”
Dr Musa who represented the Executive Secretary of KOSACA, Hajiya Rahinatu Bala, said the reduction of prevalence rate in the state from 5.8% in 2010 to 1.4 in 2012 according to National AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey (NARHS) was as a result of KOSACA coordinating with stakeholders, 21 LGAs, 4 line ministries, 5 implementing partners and 167 CSOs.
With the focus of WAD 2014 which is on the reduction of discrimination of PLHIV, KOSACA he noted organised a symposium on stigma and discrimination in conjunction with Implementing Partners CSOs and NEPHWAN.
While commending the state government for creating an enabling environment in the health sector and KOSACA to carry out its activities, he called on government to address its challenges as donors are gradually withdrawing their commitments to HIV programmes across the country and the inadequate alternative funds and resources to complement donor funding.
This year’s theme; Close the gap, no more stigma and discrimination: with sub theme: Take Action, learn the facts, bust the myths, challenge HIV stigma; addresses negative effect that stigma and discrimination would have on people accessing the prevention of new HIV infections and treatment.
Source: The Graphic
