US to treat 13,000 people living with HIV in Osun

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

A United State envoy, Will Stevens, yesterday, said efforts were on to begin treatment of 13,000 people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

He stated this in Osogbo, Osun State, during the launch of the Art Surge Project funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The US consul general called for the support of communities, government, police, civil societies, and other partners to ensure  people are tested and treated for HIV/AIDS.

Head of Legal Service, ECWS, Project Director of HIV treatment in Osun, Ekiti, and Delta state, Okezie Onyedinachi, disclosed 29,000 people are living with HIV in Osun, saying 16,000 are already on treatment.

“We have 29,000 as at last year but we can only put 16,000 on treatment and we have to reach out to 29,000 people before 2025,” Onyedinachi said.

Governor Ademola Adeleke said the state has made significant strides in improving access to HIV testing and treatment services.

Represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, Adeleke said: “We have been able to scale up HIV testing and treatment services across the state, with a focus on equity, strengthening existing systems, building capacity, and promoting stakeholder involvement at all levels.  “The project focuses on providing free HIV prevention and treatment services to thousands of people, including children, pregnant women, and key populations.

“To date, thousands of people in Osun State have benefitted from HIV testing and treatment services at no cost, and we have seen a leap in treatment coverage by 12 per cent in the first five months of active surge implementation.

“This means more people living with HIV can access the life-saving antiretroviral drugs, prophylaxis, and other essential services they need to stay healthy and thrive,” Adeleke said.