19,396 test HIV positive in Niger state – Perm Sec

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A 2015 cumulative report from Niger State government has stated that a total number of 177,988 people were counseled and tested for HIV/AIDS out of which 19,396 were found positive.

To mark the World AIDS Day, the permanent secretary, State Ministry of Health, Dr Ibrahim Tiffin, speaking to journalists at a news conference yesterday in Minna said 15,444 people are currently on antiretroviral therapy, ART treatment in Niger State to date.

According to him, the prevalence of HIV in Niger State has decreased from 4.0 per cent to 1.7 per cent, which is below the national average of 3.0 per cent and lowest in north central zone.

Tiffin noted that continuous supply of test kits and commodities to 310 existing prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS have been sustained as pregnant women who attend antenatal care are often counseled and tested.

The statistic, he said was based on 2014 Zero ANC prevalence survey.

He also added that the state agencies for the control of AIDS have been repositioned for better service delivery.

The permanent secretary also stated that the state has developed state HIV operational plan from 2015 to 2016 while scaled up plan for elimination of mother to child transmission of the disease has been developed through activation of 36 primary health care facilities in the state.

Source: Daily Post