HIV prevalence rate drops in Kaduna – Official

The Kaduna State AIDS Control Agency (KADSACA), says it has experienced significant progress in the control of HIV/AIDS leading to drop in the number of victims.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Mark David-Anthony said in an interview with the our reporter on Thursday in Kaduna that the prevalence rate had dropped to 2.2 at at 2014 as against 11.6 percent in 1999.

“With the prevalence of 2.2 per cent in 2014, it places the state below the National average based on the 2014 ANC sentinel survey,” he said, adding that the feat was a result of sustained partnership and advocacy.

According to him, the agency had focused on sensitising residents on avoiding risk factors and for those infected to access treatment early.

“The agency’s main activity this year is basically prioritizing service delivery to achieve the treatment target of 90-90-90 in 2020 and ensure no new infections, stigma and discrimination by 2030.

“We are taking into consideration prevention of transmission of HIV among the general population, provision of HIV testing services, treatment, elimination of mother-to-child transmission, and providing care and support and encouraging adherence to treatment,”

David-Anthony disclosed that the agency had developed the state HIV/AIDS 2017-2021 Sub-health Sector Strategic Plan to incorporate strategic interventions for pre-marital couples in the area of HIV counselling and testing.

“We also conducted the implementation of the operational plans for seven LGAs in the state to target adolescents and young persons’ to prevent the high prevalence of HIV among this age group of 10-24 years.

“Adolescents and young persons were identified and trained as demand creators, counsellors and testers to create demand and provide HIV testing services in the communities to their peers.”

The executive secretary said that the law establishing the agency is being reviewed for effective and efficient coordination of HIV and AIDS response across the state.