#News

‘HIV/AIDS: Low testing may lead to surge ‘

By Nkechi Ogbolu
& Blessing Akinkuolie

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Medical experts in Nigeria have lamented that citizens have shunned HIV/AIDS test, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The experts told The Hope that the rate at which people visited the health facilities for checkups, especially their HIV/AIDS status had reduced.
They warned that this may lead to an increase in the number of infected people as those who don’t know their HIV status may transfer to others, especially their partners.
Some residents of Akure, who spoke with The Hope, such as Mr Idowu Omojola and Mrs Ruth Agunbiade said it had been over five years they checked their status.
A medical practioner at Naval Medical Centre, Lagos, Dr Pelumi Adeleke revealed that people hardly visit the hospital to know their status due to COVID-19.
He added that, “we notice generally that the campaign against public health disease has reduced so with HIV campaign too”.
He stressed that HIV/AIDS has no cure yet and it was better for people to know their status earlier before the virus damaged their immune systems.
Also a pharmacist, Elder Bimbola Fagite, working at the Central Medical Store, Akure, attested that people no longer visited hospital for HIV test, warning against a surge if the development continues.
He decried that government and non-governmental organisations had shifted their attention to COVID-19 and this may lead to a surge in country.
“There is no cure yet but it can be contained if we continue to sensitize people about it and those infected know how to take care of themselves.
While urging government and NGOs to intensify efforts and campaigns against the spread of HIV/AIDS, he also called on the citizens to know their status .

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