22, 000 unidentified HIV infected persons discovered in Nasarawa

About 22, 000 unidentified HIV infected persons have been discovered across the 13 local government areas and 18 development areas in Nasarawa state and have been placed on drugs.

An implementing partner, Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative revealed this in Lafia at the end of a five-day workshop to develop 2020 annual operational plan on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Akwanga local government area of Nasarawa state.

The partner said, "It is working towards ensuring that about 22, 000 unidentified HIV infected persons in Nasarawa state are discovered and place on drugs."

The Punch reports that AHNI is one of the implementing partners supporting the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state.

Dr. Terfa Kene, Institutional Capacity Strengthening Advisor of AHNi in charge of North-Central, said they are working to identify the 22, 000 HIV infected persons who have refused to avail themselves for testing.

He said that once such persons are identified, tested and placed on drugs, it would go a long way to stopping the spread of the disease.

He said, "If we are able to stop to spread of the scourge, it means that we are moving towards achieving a zero per cent spread."

He, however, urged the infected persons to refrain from self-inflicted stigmatisation, appealing to members of the public particularly health personnel to stop discrimination against them by not disclosing their status.

Earlier, Mr. Olukunle Daramola, Zonal Team Lead, AHNi North-Central, explained that the workshop was targeted at developing the 2020 plan to address HIV scourge in Nasarawa state.

He said that with this strategic plan for 2020, areas of challenges and difficult terrains that need more attention would be given priority to see that HIV is eventually tackling in the state.

He continued, "With this, we will nowhere to intervene more through sensitisation, drugs, and partnership with other stakeholders towards ending the spread of HIV in the state."

Our correspondent reports that, during the opening ceremony of the workshop on Monday, December 9, Mr. Ahmed Yahaya, Commissioner of Health said the government would boost the fight with N1.8 billion.

The Commissioner was represented at the occasion by, Mr. Ishaku Abari, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.

Our correspondent also reports that the fight against HIV in Nasarawa State is also supported by the following partners; Global Found, Catholic Relief Services among others.