2nd December, 2010
At least, 1,051 pregnant women have tested positive to the dreaded HIV disease in public hospitals in Lagos State, South West Nigeria in 10 months, says the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris.
According to the commissioner, the 10-month period is between January and October, 2010. He revealed that over 28,000 pregnant women were tested for HIV within the period and 1, 051 of them tested positive.
Dr. Idris butressed his claim from a survey carried out by National Sentinel Surveys which put the prevalent rate of HIV infection in the state at a staggering 5.1 percent.
“The sentinel surveys carried out in Lagos has confirmed a steady, though, inconsistent increase in the number of HIV infected people. While sharing the love and not the virus, let us all join hands together to achieve an HIV/AIDS free Lagos,†said Idris at a conference to mark the World’s AID Day in Lagos.
According to him, Lagos has almost one million people infected with HIV out of the estimated 18 million people in the state, adding that over 115,000 people were tested for HIV in various health facilities across the state between January and October 2010.
“Over 35,000 clients are enrolled into ART programme. The state government has significantly increased the service delivery points in the state in respect of HIV treatment, care, support and prevention services.
“Lagos State has taken the lead in the fight against discrimination with the passage of a law for the protection of Persons Living With HIV/AIDs, PLWHAs,†he added.
The commissioner disclosed that the state government has intensified efforts to ensure that access to HIV/AIDS preventive and curative services were improved throughout the state and the rights of PLWHAs were not infringed.
He noted that PLWHAs should be an integral part of the society with equal right as any other citizen without limitation and discrimination. He said there should be no discrimination at work places, public places; no travelling restriction and victims should have equal rights with people not affected.
The commissioner also revealed that government has put in place measures to enable people with HIV/AIDS have access to preventive and curative services as well as enhance the health of PLWHAs through nutritional programmes.
He described Lagos State as a trail blazer in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria as it was the first state in the country to recognize the epidemic impact of the disease in 1999 by setting up a foundation which later became the state’s AIDS Control Agency in 2002.
He explained that through the foundation’s efforts, the 2005 National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey showed that more than 97 percent of Lagosians have heard of HIV and AIDS and 94 percent of them had good knowledge of its prevention.
“Presently, there are 56 HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) sites spread across the State. There are 40 prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) sites, 29 adult antiretroviral therapy (ART) sites and 22 paediatrics ART sites. Several developmental partners are committed along with the state government towards improved access to HIV/AIDS services in the State.
“The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency also provides micro-credit schemes to alleviate various problems facing PLWHAs towards their social and economic empowerment,†he added.
—Kazeem Ugbodaga
