As the World commemorates this year’s AIDS Day (WAD, the Executive Secretary (ES) of Kaduna State AIDS Control Agency (KADSACA), Dr. Neyu Iliyasu reveals that over 115,000 persons have HIV infection as at November 2023.
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The ES who rolled out the brief statistics on HIV/AIDS at a press conference in his office noted that, only about 63,000 are currently on treatment while 52,000 others are yet to be detected and are possibly not on treatment, a development he described as undesirable.
WAD arrived at as a reminder of shared responsibility to fiercely tackle the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to honour the lives of those who are infected, or died or suffered losses directly or indirectly from the HIV scourge.
Neyu revealed that 9,980 infected children and adolescents with 5,383 (54 percent) of them not having the desired treatment.
“Kaduna state figures show that over 115,000 people have HIV infection but only about 63,000 are on treatment. The gap of 52,000 is yet to be detected and are not on treatment, this is undesirable.
“Sadly, we also have 9,980 infected children and adolescents with 5,383 (54%) of them not having the desired treatment,” he stressed.
To him, the theme for this year’s WAD commemoration means communities must be in the cockpit to move the needle in ensuring new HIV infections become extinct, communities need to take responsibility as the gateway to HIV/AIDS response.
“As we commemorate WAD today, we recognize the power of communities to drive the needed change, inspire hope, and lead us on the path of having a future where HIV/AIDS would be a distant memory.”
According to him, the success of having zero new infections is dependent on communities taking the lead in providing information on HIV/AIDS, how to prevent it, and how to get treatment and support for those who are positive without stigma or discrimination.
On what the State was doing towards zero new infection he said, “Kaduna State has engaged in community-led initiatives that have been instrumental in breaking down barriers to healthcare disseminating information, and providing support to those affected by HIV/AIDS.
“These range from grassroots awareness campaigns to community health volunteers promoting demand for healthcare and access to treatment.
“I want to indulge everyone, to reach out to friends, relatives, partners, and even neighbors with renewed commitments to empowering communities in all aspects of development,” he added.
He however thanked the State Governor, Uba Sani, and his team for demonstrating interest in the health sector just as he thanked stakeholders in the field of HIV interventions, pleading for strong partnerships in the public and private sectors, NGOs, CBOs, and those that support and smoothen health interventions.
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