FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – No fewer than 2,934 people are living with HIV/AIDS across the 13 local government areas in Nasarawa State compared to the incidence of 4,222 and 6,614 in 2023 and 2022 respectively, the Executive Director, Nasarawa State AIDS Control Agency (NASACA), Dr Ruth Nabe-Bello, has said.
Dr Bello spoke during the program to mark this year’s 2024 World Aids day held at old Lafia hotel along shendam road Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.
Speaking on the Global theme: “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress.” And the National theme “Take the right path: Sustain the HIV response and stop HIV among children to end AIDS in Nigeria by 2030, she said, “Nasarawa State still records a significant number of new HIV infections even though declining, in 2024, we have 2,934 new infections in the State compared to the incidence of 4,222 and 6,614 in 2023 and 2022 respectively.”
She continued: “We must remain steadfast in our commitment to prevent new HIV infections and provide essential services to all people living with HIV in the State. Today we gather to remember, to reflect and to recommit ourselves to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
As we mark this significant day, we acknowledge the progress made in our dear Nasarawa State and Nigeria’s response to the epidemic.”
She, however, expressed worry over stigmatization and discrimination against People Living with HIV in the state, nothing that, limited access to healthcare services especially the key populations is worrisome.
According to her, “Many people who are living with HIV still face stigma and discrimination and limited access to healthcare services especially the key populations.
Her words, “The path that ends AIDS is a rights path. Is a call to action, It urging us to make informed choices and decisions that promote HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.”
“We must sustain and accelerate our efforts to address HIV and its co-occurring conditions, such as syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections, mpox, mental health and substance use disorders, and hepatitis.
“The progress we have achieved thus far is a testament to the power of community action. Governments, communities, civil society, advocates, faith-based communities, and public and private organizations have all played crucial roles in our shared goal to save lives, challenge stigma and discrimination, and change the course of the HIV pandemic,” she concluded.
She then appreciated her gratitude to the implementing partners, stakeholders and supporters who have worked tirelessly to make this day a success, urging all to use this WAD commemoration to reaffirm their commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
Earlier, Nasarawa State first lady Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule has advocated the need for collective efforts by relevant stakeholders to reduce the spread of HIV Aids in the society.
Our correspondent reports that the World Aids day organized by Nasarawa State Aids Control Agency in synergy with the state ministry of health, Nasarawa State Human capital development among other partners in the state.
Our correspondent also reports that the programme commenced with a rally from the state ministry of health through some measures streets in Lafia where people were given pliers educating them on the dangers of the virus as well as condoms to enable take precautionary measures.
The first lady Salifat Abdullahi Sule who was represented by the commissioner of women affairs and social development Aisha Rufai-Ibrahim explained that there was need for authority concern to put in place awareness and sensitization mechanism that will reduce the menace of HIV Aids in the country and commended ministry of health, NASACA and all implementing partners for taking the bull by the horn in the fight against AIDS.
Also speaking at the event, commissioner of Health Dr Gaza Gwamna who spoke through the permanent secretary of the ministry Dr John Damina, disclosed that the state government has enrolled over sixty five patients on free medication, reiterating the state government commitment to sustain collaboration with traditional and religious institutions, relevant stakeholders in the health sector and other partners to ensure that the cases of HIV and Aid is being addressed.
Key partners that spoke during the program including the Director General Human capital development Agency Habitat Balarabe Suleiman, Nasarawa State Health insurance Agency Dr BawaUbam and that of the Network People Living with HIV Aids said more need to be done in the area of creating awareness and sensitization to end stigmatization and stress the need for collective efforts to eradicate HIV Aids in the twenty thirty.
During the World Aids day testing and counseling on HIV Aids, Diabetes blood pressure sponsored by NASACA and Human capital development Agency were conducted just as Isa Kungar cultural troop and students of Federal University of Lafia thrilled the audience with there superlative performances.
Signed
Ari, Liman Aminu.
Head of Centre,
Federal Information Centre, Lafia.
