HIV/AIDS in Ondo below national average – NACA

By Adekola Afolabi
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The Director General, National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), Abuja, Dr. Gambo Aliyu has disclosed that recent prevalence indicator conducted by NACA has shown that its  prevalence in Ondo state is  below national average.

Dr. Aliyu made the revelation while leading NACA and ODSACA team on an advocacy visit to the Ondo state  Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, in his office, Akure the Ondo State capital.

 According to him, the national average is  0.4%, as against 0.8-9% prevalence in the state. He particularly applauded governor Akeredolu for his usual support for the agency and those living with HIV/AIDS in the state.

The NACA DG, however, said the prevalence is now high among 50-60 years age bracket as against the 20-25 years age group which was used to be in the past.

He attributed the low prevalence among the active youth group to the fact that the victims among the age group were taking their anti-retrovira drugs regularly which suppressed the virus, while necessary sensitisation and other preventive measures were also put in place to reduce the scourge.

Dr. Aliyu equally lauded the governor for establishing Contributory Health Scheme in the state, saying the scheme would ensure quality healthcare system for the people.

He also solicited the support of the governor in getting some necessary kits and drugs for the use of the agency.

Responding, the Ondo state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who expressed joy over the low HIV/AIDS prevalence in the state, also said a lot still has  to be done by all to stamp the scourge out of the country.

He commended the team for their efforts and promised that the state would continue to do its best and give necessary support to the agency with a view to ensuring the scourge becomes a thing of the past.

Akeredolu, however, wondered why the prevalence is high among those within 50-60 years old bracket as against the youth group, stressing that necessary measures would be put in place to  curb the scourge among teenagers in the state.

He equally informed the team that the Contributory Health Scheme put in place in the state was targeted at qualitative and accessible healthcare services to the people in the state.