Many Nigerians get infected with HIV daily — NACA

By Danmaryam Zayamu

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has warned that many people still get infected with HIV on a daily basis “mostly as a result of indiscriminate sexual behaviors.”   

The agency therefore, called on Nigerian who are yet to know their HIV status, to make it a priority in 2020.

In a statement in Abuja, Tuesday, Director General of the agency, Dr Aliyu Gambo, assured Nigerians that “as we join the rest of the world to push for the last mile, NACA, working with all stakeholders will ensure 90 percent of Nigerians who live with HIV know their status, are placed on life saving treatment and achieve viral load suppression to keep them alive and healthy, and prevent new infection of their partners and unborn babies.

“Knowing one’s HIV status is no longer difficult as Nigerians can now test themselves in a matter of minutes using self-test kits or call NACA at 6222 for guidance’’.   

While urging Nigerians to make knowing their HIV status part of their New Year resolution, the statement said: “NACA recommends Nigerians to know their HIV status as we enter in to a New Year . Your HIV story begins with knowing your HIV status which is the safest gateway to HIV prevention, care and treatment. 

“ In the last few years, NACA has taken bold steps to prevent new HIV infections through consistent provision of information on prevention, available and accessible HIV/AIDS services to Nigerians irrespective of where they reside in the country.

“We must build on the successes recorded so far at individual, family and community levels to prevent new HIV infections as we move into the last mile decade for the control and eradication of HIV.

“Knowing your HIV status allows you to make informed decisions either way the result turns out.”