HIV/AIDS Prevalence Reduces In Rivers

The prevalence of HIV/
AIDS seems to have reduced in Rivers State following the result of the on-going Community Screening and Treatment Project where about 200,000 persons have been screened and tested zero-status to the virus.
Speaking at a test-centre of the community outreach programme organized by the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Family Health International (FHI 360), the Commissioner, for Health, Dr Theophily Odagme disclosed that the last ANC Survey revealed that the HIV/AIDS State prevalence had moved from 6.0% to 5.8% maintaining that the project was a virile opportunity to consolidate the gains so far recorded by the administration to secure a firm and realistic control of the virus.
Odagme stated that the community screening and treatment Project also called ‘CART Project’ was aimed at improving the uptake of the annually screened HIV/AIDS Patients in line with the UNAIDS target of 90-90-90, saying that “the target is to ensure that 90 percent of the people know their status, 90 percent  of the people tested positive are linked to care and that 90 percent of those in care have viral suppression to the level that it can not be transmitted to other people.”
Odagme disclosed that the Barr Nyesom Wike-led administration in conjunction with its partners was focused on demonstrating efficiency  in the control of the virus in the state with outreach in the 23 local government areas of the state beginning with Port Harcourt, Ikwerre and Obio/Akpor adding that the project would be replicated in the other LGAs subsequently.
He said “there are 10 teams in each of the three local government areas and they are systematically screening all residents of the respective LGAs who consent to the offer of HIV/AIDS testing. So far, nearly two hundred thousand persons have been screened and received result of their zero-status. Of these, those found positive have been successfully linked to care with the retention rate of nearly 80%.
This is quite encouraging and 1’m particularly impressed by the reception given to the teams in the various communities and I further encourage you to cooperate with them towards improving your health status.”

Lady Godknows Ogbulu