World Aids Day: IHVN says over 84,000 HIV/ Aids infected persons recieving treatment in Nasarawa

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the 2022 World Aids Day, the Nasarawa State Aids Control Agency, (NASACA) and the Institute of Human Virology (IHV) Nigeria, stated that over 84,000 HIV/Aids infected persons are currently receiving treatment in the state.

They made this known in Lafia while embarking on a road show to create more awareness on HIV/Aids control with the theme: ‘equal access to treatment and prevention services.

The Program Manager, (IHVN) Nasarawa, Dr Yakubu Sambo, in an exclusive interview with The Guardian in Lafia, said that IHVN under the leadership of Dr Patrick Dakum has been supporting health products for the past 18 years.

Dr Yakubu revealed that HIV/Aids is no longer a killer disease at an earlier time because of the discovery of the use of anti-retroviral drug therapy and the tremendous level of awareness today.

“Right now, we have patience under us who are living very well into their old age because of the effective treatment using anti-retroviral therapy we offered them.

Dr Yakubu appealed to residents to get tested, and if found with the virus, they should commence treatment, noting HIV/Aids no longer kill with proper treatment.

On her part, the Executive Director, NASACA, Dr Ruth Bello, stated that the agency has devised the index marking to trace and track links with any patient under treatment for treatment.

Dr Bello however commended the state government for enacting laws on anti-stigma and discrimination against people living with the disease.

Dr Bello however Thanked the donor agents and call for more collaboration in the fight against HIV/Aids.