Significant decrease of HIV prevalence in youths

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December 3, 2015 11:41 AM

Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of health for state, on Tuesday, December 3, 2015 revealed that about 3.4 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister for Health, Nigeria

Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of health for state, on Tuesday, December 3, 2015 while speaking at a press briefing in Abuja revealed that about 3.4 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

With over 36.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the world, Nigeria consist of 9.21% of HIV positive patients in the world. Record reveals that only about 800,000 people living with the virus are receiving the antiretroviral treatment

Read: '470,435 Lagosians are living with HIV'

Ehanire also pointed out that the figure of those receiving the antiretroviral treatment is expected to increase significantly as the country implements 2014 treatment guidelines.

Ehanire was thrilled with the fact that HIV prevalence in youths (15-24years) has consistently declined from 6% in 2001 to 2.9% in 2014.

Read: 17 countries in Americas may have eliminated mother-to-child transmission - UN

He then stressed the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to HIV/AIDS through active participation of all stakeholders including Civil Society Organisations, Private sector, Faith-based organisations, communities and people living with HIV and AIDS.

In a recent interview with NAN, Segun Oluade, Chairman of the Lagos state House of Assembly Committee on Health stated that no fewer than 470,435 Lagos state residents are living with HIV.

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