BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Sokoto State Coordinator of AIDs, Sexually Transmitted Infection and Viral Hypertisis Control Programme (SASCP) Dr Wadata Hali has said no fewer than 15,042 persons are currently on HIV/AIDs treatment in the state.
Wadata who made the disclosure at an event organized by the Sokoto state ministry of Health in collaboration with the State Agency For The Control of HIV/AIDs and Tuberculosis (SOSACAT) to commemorate the 2024 World AIDs Day added that, a survey conducted by NAIIS in 2018 put the state HIV prevalence level at 0.4%.
Addressing the gathering on Sokoto State Review Of HIV/AIDs Services/ Activities, Dr Wadata said Sokoto’s HIV/AIDs burden stands at 12,553 people living the virus.
Speaking after a road walk and enlightenment campaign from Sokoto Specialists Hospital to the Giginya Secretariat,
the host of the 2024 World AIDs Day and Special Adviser to Sokoto State governor on State Agency For the Control Of AIDs and Tuberculosis, (SOSACAT)
Sada Ibrahim Durbawa said No doubt many lives were lost and may devasted resulting from HIV/AIDs worldwide.
“”World AIDs day is a commemoration that allows all of us to come together and honour those who have lost their lives and in solidarity with those who have been infected and affected by the situation””.
Before declaring the event open, the state
commissioner for health, Hajiya Balarabe Asabe represented by the Special Adviser, Sokoto State Malaria Elimination Agency, (SOSMEA) Dr Mohammed Namadina Ibrahim said despite HIV/AIDs drugs are free, emphasis should be on prevention.
“”Educate people on how to take care of themselves and handle to avoid been infected. And the good news now is that, HIV/AIDs injection that will be taken once in a month might be put to use next year””.
On his part, the Sarkin Yakim Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabi in a goodwill message appealed to all and sundry to strive towards knowing their status to guarantee safer society for all.
While noting that, Sokoto recorded zero mother to child transmission in the last 12 months, Dr Kabiru Umar Sokoto, the Executive Secretary Sokoto State Agency For The Control of HIV/AIDs and Tuberculosis (SOSACAT) said together, we can achieve a HIV/AIDs free society come 2030.
‘”It may interest you to know that of the
162 pregnant women tested with HIV/AIDs, there is no single record of
mother to Child transmission between December 2023 to December 2024.
“”The implication of this development is that, Sokoto is heading towards becoming amongst states without new cases of HIV/AIDS in the next 6 years””.
State Coordinator of Network of People Living With HIV/AIDs in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) Comrade Hussani Mohammed Gwadabawa appreciated Sokoto state government as well as the respective partners for all their support to them.
According to Hussaini, NEPWHAN in Sokoto is greatly championing the cause of sensitization through community surveillance groups.
He also hinted that, a handsome number of members under the network have been engaged productively thus contributing to the society as ambassadors of resilience and encouragement.
The Executive Secretary Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Larai Aliyu Tambuwal said HIV/AIDs isn’t a death sentence.
