80,000 test HIV-positive in Nassarawa state– NACA

According to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), over 80,000 people in the state have been found to be HIV-positive and are now undergoing treatment.

The number was provided by Dr. Ruth Bello, the Executive Director of the Nasarawa State AIDS Control Agency, during a recent weekend visit by representatives of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS.

Bello further revealed that the prevalence rate of HIV in Nasarawa “has dropped to two percent. The state has scored very high in prevention and treatment with the prevalence rate of HIV now at just two percent.”

In commending the effort of the state government, Bello said: “About 80,000 individuals have been identified as HIV-positive and are currently receiving treatment in the state. We have about 80,000 persons now identified with HIV and currently under treatment in the state.

“We also have a law against discrimination and stigma in the state, which has gone a long way in encouraging marriages between HIV-negative persons and positive persons without infecting each other.”

The establishment of a law against stigma and prejudice in Nasarawa State, according to Bello, was another important development for the state and had encouraged marriages between HIV-negative and positive people without worrying about transmission.

The Executive Director of SACA reaffirmed the organization's commitment to eradicating stigma and discrimination and mentioned an ongoing collaboration with traditional and religious leaders to further address these problems.

Dr. Esther Audu, Coordinator of Antiretroviral Therapy, underlined the value of counselling in HIV therapy in her remarks. 

Counselling, according to her, is extremely important in establishing a person's preparedness for treatment because learning that one has HIV can be traumatic and cause resistance to starting treatment.

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