By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
In Niger State, the HIV prevalence rate has dropped to 0.7 percent with the hope of it reducing to 0 percent while 2, 374 persons, including 6 infants tested positive this year.
Niger State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muhammad Makusidi, disclosed this at a press briefing to mark the year 2021 World AIDS Day. The Commissioner also told journalists that a total of 2,368 clients tested positive in the state between January till date in the state.
The 2021 World Aids Day with the theme, "End Inequality, End AIDS, End Pandemic", according to the Commissioner is timely, adding that over 90 percent of all HIV-positive clients have achieved viral suppression.
"Currently, Niger has a prevalence of 0.7 percent which is the lowest in the entire North-Central zone, and the government is committed to ensuring that the HIV prevalence comes down t to Zero by the year, 2030".
According to him, "HIV/AIDS data for the year under review shows that between January 1st to November 30th, 2021, a total of 137,834 clients were counseled, tested, and received results. Out of these, 2,368 clients were tested positive".
According to the Commissioner, all the HIV-positive infants are those whose mothers did not attend antenatal services.
Also, the Commissioner hinted that there is no case of Omicron variants of the Covid-19 virus recorded in Niger state. NNL.
