Dr. Adeniyi Oginni, Executive Secretary of the Osun State Agency for the Control of AIDS (O’SACA), has revealed that over 50,000 individuals in Osun State are currently living with HIV. In response to this alarming figure, the agency has initiated the distribution of preventive tools and urged those affected to come forward for testing.
Oginni elaborated on the efforts to curb the spread of HIV, highlighting the distribution of preventive commodities to various stakeholders across the state. These include the 31 Local Agency for the Control of AIDS (LACA) managers, the Network of People Living with AIDS (NEPWHAN), implementing partners, community-based organizations (CBOs) focused on HIV, the Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN), and several antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics.
“Currently, about 50,000 people in Osun are living with HIV, with 28,000 of them receiving treatment,” Oginni stated. “According to available statistics, the HIV prevalence rate in Osun State is 0.9 percent. Given the state’s estimated population of 5.2 million, this translates to approximately 50,000 individuals living with the virus.”
Dr. Oginni stressed the importance of testing, noting that many individuals are unaware of their HIV status. “We urge those who have not been tested to come forward. Knowing your status is crucial because it allows for early treatment, reducing the risk of transmission and helping individuals live healthier lives,” he emphasized.
Oginni’s appeal aims to encourage more people to get tested and seek treatment, thereby mitigating the spread of HIV and improving public health outcomes in Osun State.
Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/50000-persons-living-with-hiv-in-osun-says-osaca/
