The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cletus Shurkuk, has revealed that the State recorded 2, 260 new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections and 581 deaths from the disease in 2023.
The Commissioner made the disclosure on Saturday in Jos, at an event to commemorate the 2024 World AIDS Day. The event, which has been slated to be marked globally on December 1, has this year’s theme as “Take the Right Path”.
According to him, the Commissioner, 45, 835 persons in Plateau were living with the disease and were on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
Shurkuk revealed that the State Government had expanded its testing services to over 900 health care facilities in the State. He noted also that the Government has increased awareness about HIV prevention and treatment among the people.
The Commissioner further explained that the State had improved its strategies to halt mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This, he said it has done by successfully conducting tests for 46, 828 pregnant women between January to June 2024.
He said the State had achieved 88-98-95 target towards meeting with the UNAIDS target of 99-95-95 by 2030. Which, according to him was a pathway to HIV epidemic control.
The Commissioner also described the theme for 2024 WORLD AIDS as appropriate. He, however, noted that for the right path to be taken, there was need for increased comprehensive sex education and awareness. Particularly among the young people, who were key to shaping a more informed future generation.
Shurkuk, therefore, called for more community engagement, increased access to healthcare and more research and innovations towards the disease.
The Commissioner used the occasion to commend development partners. He praised them for collaborating with the State in providing quality health care services to its citizens.
source: NAN
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source: The Nation
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