'105 People Tested Positive To HIV/AIDS In Ogun During Lockdown'

                                  •Coker

From Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta

Ogun State Agency For the Control of AIDS (OGSACA) has revealed that 105 persons have tested positive to the Human Immuno Deficiency Virus/Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) based on the test conducted during the COVID - 19 lockdown in the state.

 

The agency explained that by mid term of 2020, despite the pandemic, 49,211 person's have been counselled, tested and result were given, out of which 105 were found to be positive to the HIV virus.

It added that the state currently has 20,827 positive persons, who are also currently on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).

The Executive Secretary, OGSACA, Dr. Kehinde Fatungase, disclosed this at a press briefing organized by the agency in Abeokuta to mark the 2020 World AIDS Day, with "United To End AIDS In the Midst of Covid-19" as the theme.

Kehinde identified poverty, low literacy level, stigma, discrimination, low political will, low use of condoms and risky sexual behaviour as contributory factors  to the increase of HIV in the state.

He also said that rapid influx of person's into the State on account of congestion in Lagos with development of new industries, towns and settlements were other factors  also contributing  to the high HIV prevalence in the State.

The Commissioner of Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, said the state government is working assiduously to contain the spread of the virus following an emerging indication that it has an increasing number of affected persons.

Coker who was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, Hospital Management Board, Dr. Nofiu Aigoro, said further that the government has stepped up developmental plans and implementing some prevention programmes in some centres across the State to contain the spread.

She added that the programmes was targeted to population at risk, disseminating educational resources and messages on HIV risks and prevention, saying that educating health care professionals about evidence-based HIV prevention strategies was also imperative.

"Indeed, we need to be resilient to fight against laws that codify stigma, discrimination and criminalization that restrict gender equality and access to human rights based response," Coker said.

Coker who hailed the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun for her support for People Living With HIV (PLWHIV), with palliatives during the COVID - 19 lockdown, assured that vigorous campaign would be  taken to every nook and cranny of the State including riverine areas.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministy of Information and Strategy, Mr. Abiodun Awere represented by Director Strategy, Mr. Tunde Kazeem, lauded governor Dapo Abiodun - led administration for giving support to OGSACA, urging the agency to beef- up enlightenment campaign and advocacy to enable members of the public know the dangers inherent in unprotected sexual intercourse.