65,185 people in Akwa Ibom are HIV positive – SIDHAS

Map of Akwa Ibom state.

Kufre Etuk – Uyo

A recent test result released by an NGO, Strengthening Integrated Delivery of HIV/AIDS Services (SIDHAS) indicates that 65,185 persons in Akwa Ibom state are HIV positive.

The Deputy Director Technical at SIDHAS, Dr Pius Nwanokoro, said the result was based on a -10 year consistent testing and counselling in 21 local government areas of the state.

The result shows that Mbo and Uyo local government areas have 8,000 and 4,000 positive cases in that order.

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Speaking at an engagement with select media representatives on HIV treatment surge agenda in Uyo, Nwanokoro said Akwa Ibom state has achieved 90 percent viral suppression, which means that 90 percent of people who are positive have taken drugs to the point that they can no longer transmit the virus.

He said “since April 2019, SIDHAS has carried out HIV test on 1,355,203 persons within the state including people in rural areas while 65,185 persons test positive for HIV.”

In Mbo Local government area, Nwanokoro said “114,000 people underwent HIV test, 8,000 persons came out positive. Out of 118,000 persons in Uyo who passed through HIV test, 4,000 positive cases were recorded.”

He explained that SIDHAS has achieved epidemic control in seven local governments of the state including Uyo, Mbo, Okobo, Eastern Obolo, Ibeno.

The Deputy Director Technical, said as part of the measures to decentralize drug distribution channels to people in the hinterlands, the organization has employed the services of Patent Medicine Dealers to assist in the distribution of drugs to HIV positive patients within their domain.

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Earlier, the Project Manager, AKSACA, Dr Igbemi Igbemi thanked AKSACA partners for their contribution in stemming HIV prevalence in Akwa Ibom state.

Igbemi urged journalists to report issues on HIV/AIDS with available facts saying that the sickness was not a death sentence.

He noted that since the prevalence rate in the state still remains at 5.5% based on the NHAIS rating of 2018 , the percentage has reduced from the previously 10.8%.

In his remark, the State Director, Fhi 360, Dr. Kolawole Olatunbosun argued that HIV/ AIDS, like other sicknesses, has come to stay, urging media practitioners to intensify public education and enlightenment on HIV.