Laleye Dipo in Minna
With 2,368 cases of HIV/AIDS cases recorded in Niger State this year, the prevalent rate has however dropped to 0.7%, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Muhammad Makusidi, has said.
“HIV/AIDS data for the year under review shows that between January 1 to November 30, 2021, a total of 137,834 clients were counselled, tested and received results. Out of these, 2,368 clients tested positive,” Makusidi said at the 2021 World HIV/AIDs Day marked in Minna, Wednesday.
This is just as the commissioner disclosed that there is no Omicron variant in the state.
He said the total number of people living with HIV, who are receiving treatments including key population, stands at 33,788, adding that 38,227 pregnant women who went for antenatal care were counselled, tested and received results out of which 198 were tested positive.
In addition, Makusidi disclosed that early infants who had a first virologic HIV test now stands at 752 out of which only 6 (0.8%) were found to be HIV positive, pointing out that the HIV positive infants are those whose mother’s did not attend antenatal services.
Speaking on the theme for the year: ‘End Inequality, End AIDS, End Pandemic’, Makusidi said over 90 per cent of all HIV positive clients have achieved viral suppression in the state
He said the 0.7% prevalent rate is the lowest in the North-central zone of the country, adding that the government is committed to ensuring that the HIV prevalence rate is brought to zero by the year 2030.
