… As 2,368 adults, 2 infants test positive in 2022
MINNA: The number of persons living with HIV in Niger state has increased to thirty Six thousand, Seven hundred and Ninety Seven within a period of Nine months.
Making this disclosure, the State Commissioner of Health Dr. Makusidi Muhammad said, “between January to September (9 months) this year a total of 2,628 clients tested positive to HIV in the state”.
Dr. Makusidi who was represented by the Director, Medical Services and Training, Dr. Baba Uthman said at a press briefing to mark this year’s World AIDS Day in Minna with the theme for the year “Equalize to End Aids: Equal Access to Treatment and Prevention Services”, that 36,797 persons are currently living with HIV in the State.
It should be recalled that between January and November 2021, a total of 33,788 persons including 198 pregnant women who went for antenatal care were counselled, tested positive and received results and 6 infants who had a first virologic HIV test stands.
According to the Commissioner “HIV/AIDS data for the year under review shows that between 1st January to 30th September, 2022, a total of 89,359 clients were counselled, tested and received results. Out of these, 2,628 clients were tested positive.
“Currently, the total number of people living with HIV receiving treatment including key population stands at 36,797; a total of 43,083 pregnant women who went for antenatal care were counselled, tested and received results out of which 63 were tested positive.
“For early infant diagnosis, the total number of infants who had a first virologic HIV test stands at 330 out of which only 2 (0.6%) were found to be HIV positive”.
He added that the HIV positive infants are those whose mother’s did not attend antenatal services.
In his remarks, the Director General, Niger State Agency for Control of Aids (NGSACA), Adamu Baba said even though the State’s target is to bring the prevalent rate to zero percent at year 2030, it currently stands at 0.7 percent
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