The Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, says out of 21,072 persons who availed themselves for test, 134 returned positive of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, adding that they have commenced treatment.
He made this disclosure in Gombe on Monday in a media briefing held to commemorate the World AIDS Day.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the 2024 theme is ‘take the right path’.
Dahiru explained that viral suppression was achieved for 19,743 persons following early detection and placement on drugs, adding that with this the state attained.
He said, “21,072 were tested; out of those tested 134 tested positive, those placed on treatment are 134. We collected samples from 21,975.
“Those on treatment from past years that were virally suppressed are 19,743. The state in general has achieved this suppression rate meaning we got 96 per cent of the total population tested.
“We put 96 per cent of those found positive on drugs to suppress their HIV infection. Those on treatment 96 per cent of them have been virally suppressed.
Dahiru noted that the state has attained prevention of mother to child transmission, We also reduced significantly mother-to-child transmission at the moment we are no longer delivering babies that are infected with HIV in Gombe State,” the commissioner added.
He disclosed that the state achieved this milestone through advocacy, “With traditional, religious leaders. We have development partners that are supporting us we penetrated into the community that there is no reason to stigmatise, because you have HIV/AIDS does not mean you will not be employed before people run away from you but now people are working and government has enrolled them as vulnerables under Gombe contributory health scheme,” he added.
The Programme Coordinator Gombe State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Hassan Mohammed, called on residents to come for testing, adding that “HIV testing, treatment in Nigeria and in Gombe State is free. You will not spend a kobo. We call on the general public especially husbands allow your wives to go for antenatal, when they go allow them to be tested. Knowing your status is the key. If you don’t know your status whatever you do doesn’t make any sense.”
He added, “There is great improvement. Last year, we had 23,000 plus but today we 27,000 viral suppression. We suppressed 95 per cent.”
