HIV infections have been documented in the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs,
camps within the state just between January and March 2017.
The Executive Secretary, Borno Agency for the Control of
HIV/AIDS, BOSACA, Malam Barkindo Saidu, revealed this in Maiduguri, Borno
State, on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, and stated that the fresh cases were
recorded following a voluntary screening exercise carried out in 15 IDPs camps within
the state.
HIV/AIDS, BOSACA, Malam Barkindo Saidu, revealed this in Maiduguri, Borno
State, on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, and stated that the fresh cases were
recorded following a voluntary screening exercise carried out in 15 IDPs camps within
the state.
Saidu said presently about 2.4%of the State’s population or
about 108,000 people are moving around with HIV and AIDS, going by the
demographic survey made available by the National Population Commission, NPC.
about 108,000 people are moving around with HIV and AIDS, going by the
demographic survey made available by the National Population Commission, NPC.
He said: “We
recorded 3,800 new cases of HIV between January-2017 and March-2017. Also, 70
children in the IDPs camps tested positive. So far, in the whole state we have
about 18,101 new cases of persons living with HIV within this period and only
9,438 are currently coming for the Anti-Retroviral Therapy and
counselling.
recorded 3,800 new cases of HIV between January-2017 and March-2017. Also, 70
children in the IDPs camps tested positive. So far, in the whole state we have
about 18,101 new cases of persons living with HIV within this period and only
9,438 are currently coming for the Anti-Retroviral Therapy and
counselling.
“Our challenges
are enormous and cannot be over emphasised. It will interest you to note that
Borno state have not participated in any HIV programme in the last two years.
are enormous and cannot be over emphasised. It will interest you to note that
Borno state have not participated in any HIV programme in the last two years.
“Only tiny
portion of the people living with HIV and AIDs can access treatment because
most anti-retroviral centres have closed.
portion of the people living with HIV and AIDs can access treatment because
most anti-retroviral centres have closed.
“Within the last six
years, the state was only able to achieve nine per cent out of its HIV
reduction prevalence rate in Borno state.
years, the state was only able to achieve nine per cent out of its HIV
reduction prevalence rate in Borno state.
“This was because the
government and other support partners have not given priority attention to the
plight of such persons.
government and other support partners have not given priority attention to the
plight of such persons.
“Governor Shettima had
approved N45 million counterpart funding for HIV development programmes since
December 2016, but the fund is yet to be released.
approved N45 million counterpart funding for HIV development programmes since
December 2016, but the fund is yet to be released.
“Three months ago, I
wrote a letter to about 29 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to come to the
plight of such persons but only UNICEF is assisting.
wrote a letter to about 29 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to come to the
plight of such persons but only UNICEF is assisting.
“On the 30 March, the
Federal Government had received grant for HIV, TB and Malaria from Global Fund
for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Maleria (GPATM). We cannot access this fund until
the state government provide counterpart support funding.’’
Federal Government had received grant for HIV, TB and Malaria from Global Fund
for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Maleria (GPATM). We cannot access this fund until
the state government provide counterpart support funding.’’
While appealing to Borno state government to release fund,
he also admonished NGOs to support people living with the disease.
he also admonished NGOs to support people living with the disease.
