Prevalence of HIV drops to 1.6%

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December 1, 2016 4:42 PM

This was made known in Osogbo at a forum to mark the Worlds AIDS Day.

Only 45% Nigerians are aware of their HIV status

The Osun Agency for the Control of AIDS (OSACA) on Thursday said HIV prevalence in the state has dropped from 2.6 to 1.6 percent.

Dr Bello Monsur, the Executive Secretary of OSACA, made this known in Osogbo at a forum to mark the Worlds AIDS Day.

The forum, which was organised by Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo, had as theme: “Leadership, Commitment and Impact of HIV.’’

Monsur said leadership, commitment and impact on HIV largely depended on how health experts were leading others and the extent of commitment to the fight against the virus.

He said the world had recorded significant improvement and positive strides against HIV as evident by the reduction in the prevalence of the virus world-wide.

OSACA, he said, had provided leadership and commitment to the prevention of HIV in the state in conjunction with other stakeholders in the state.

These, he added, accounted for the drop in the HIV prevalence in the state.

“Even with these achievements, the fight against HIV is far from over until it is completely eradicated.

“To successfully win the fight, leadership and commitment are essential components we need to apply as we sensitise the public from our various wards and local communities," he said

He, however, said lack of leadership and commitment could lead to resurgence of resistant strains, increased prevalence of HIV and poor attitude of people to the virus.

Mr Adekunle Opeshade, the Outreach Coordinator of the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN) in LAUTECH, said the World AIDS Day was organised to create more awareness about the virus.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World AIDS Day was set aside by World Health Organisation (WHO) to sensitive the global community on the virus and also celebrate the successes recorded.

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