4,746 Enrol For HIV/AIDS Treatment

The Rivers State Agency on the Control of HIV/AIDS (RIVSACA), says, so far, 4746 persons living with the disease have enrolled for treatment at HIV/AIDS Resource Centre in Bori General Hospital, Khana Local Government Area, since its inception in 2007.

This disclosure was made when a delegation of the Board, paid a fact finding and familiarisation visit to the centre recently.

Speaking during the visit, leader of the delegation, Chief Andy Nweye, who is also the State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), expressed displeasure over the high prevalence of the disease, particularly in the rural areas.

Chief Nweye attributed this largely  to ignorance on the part of the rural people.

It was discovered that of this number, 99 were children, while the percentage prevalence rate of the disease in the state was 6.0 with Khana Local Government Area, having 8.1 per cent.

Chief Nweye described this as alarming and unacceptable and promised that the Board will use all resources at its disposal to curb the spread of the virus in the state.

The doctor incharge of the centre, Dr Tayo Olowokere, while giving an update on the activities of the centre, stated that the focus is now on prevention and noted that Nigeria is second highest in HIV/AIDS prevalence globally after South Africa.

He also said the objective of the centre is to reduce paediatric HIV prevalence to less than two per cent, which he said is presently at an alarming 12 per cent.

The Vice Chairman of the council Mr Barine Nwiloh who spoke on behalf of the Chairman Mr Gregory Nwidam, promised to partner with RIVSACA to rid the state of the disease and expressed the hope that cure would soon be found.

Tonye Nria-Dappa