Over 16,000 living with HIV in Ebonyi

... Network distributes 6,528 condoms

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

Over 16,000 persons in Ebonyi State are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV).

Executive Secretary of the state Action Committee on AIDS, Chibueze Iteshi disclosed this to journalists during a courtesy visit to one of the traditional rulers in the state, HRH Sunday Oketa as part of week-long activities to mark this year’s World AIDS Day.

The committee had last two months, revealed that 15,000 persons in the state were living with the virus.

Iteshi said the status of those living with the virus has increased to over 16,000.

He noted that the committee has increased sensitization on the virus prevention.

“From survey 2018, we have 0. 8 prevalent rate. But that survey has taken a good number of years. Currently, from the cases we have had so far, we have 16,000 plus positive who are on drugs in the state.

“We are trying to get all the stakeholders at the community level to sensitize them on the importance of HIV prevention.

“The expectation is increase awareness in our communities, trying to engage other community leaders to spread the campaign and as well, increase in prevention from mother to child campaign because this year’s World AIDS Day theme centers on prevention of the virus among children.

“When there is a proper community testing, pregnant women and facility testing, the virus would be early detected”, Iteshi said.

Florence Odii of the Youth Network on HIV/AIDS in the state said the network has been distributing condoms to help control the virus.

“Currently, we have been able to distribute 6,528 condoms between March and November this year to practice safe sex we have been talking about because it will help us to achieve what we intend to achieve in 2030 which is elimination of HIV/AIDS”, she said.

Receiving the committee, HRH Sunday Oketa assured that he will lead the campaign against the virus in his community.

He opined that the virus has killed many people and called on everyone to join the campaign.