Kano state government north Western Nigeria says over 35,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in the state are currently receiving treatment across 43 comprehensive sites.
The state commissioner for health Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa stated this while briefing news men in Kano as part of activities to commemorate the 2021 World AIDS day.
He said the state government has also activated over 600 secondary and primary facilities across 484 wards for the provision of HIV testing services to curtail the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state.
The commissioner noted that the most recent survey conducted in the states of the federation, the prevalence rate of the deadly infection has drastically reduced from 2.5% to 0.5%.
“Our administration have devoted attention and commitment to improve health indices through provision of basic equipments, training and retraining, recruiting and deployment of human resources”
According to Dr. Aminu, the present administration was committed to saving the lives of women and children through the provision of essential health services both at the primary and secondary level.
Dr. Aminu explained that the first lady of Kano state Professor Hafsat Abdullahi Umar Ganduje would flag off the various activities outlined to commemorate this year’s world AIDS day on 2nd December.
He said, part of the activities include, public lecture, launching of the standardized premarital screening certificate, empowerment of people living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable groups.
The commissioner maintained that, the state government had established the Kano state health trust fund (KHETFUND), where 5% of the internally generated revenue(IGR), and 1% of the local government councils statutory allocation is dedicated to the fund to ensure sustainable health financing.
Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa urged the general public to go for testing, counselling and treatment for those living with HIV(AIDS).
“The state government is committed to providing more democratic dividend not only in health sector but across a sectors of human endeavour”.
1st December was set aside annually by the world health organization (WHO) to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS related illnesses.
Emmanuel Ukoh
