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Tag: HIV/AIDS

  • Nigeria second largest HIV epidemic in 2016 – Report

    Nigeria second largest HIV epidemic in 2016 – Report

    Nigeria had the second largest HIV epidemic in 2016, with over 196,000 adolescents representing 10 per cent of the global burden said to be living with HIV/AIDS, according to a World Health Report.

    The report was given by Mrs Esther Samuel, The Chief Matron, Lagos State Ministry of Health, at a programme by a Non-governmental Organisation ( NGO ) Lisa Demi Project, in Lagos.

    The Lisa Demi Project, initiated in the U.K., seeks address the sexual health issues through Talks, Counselling and Entertainment among others.

    The programme, held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere, Lagos on Thursday, and title “ Let’s Talk about Our Sexual Health’’, is targeted at teenagers between the ages 14 to 24.

    Speaking on the dangers of unrestrained sexual activities among the youths, Samuel said the statistics from the health sector remained a concern.

    “Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic. About 3.2 million people Nigerians were living with HIV in 2016.

    “In Nigeria, over 196,000 adolescents, representing 10 percent of the global burden, are said to be living with HIV/AIDS.

    “Also. 230,000 babies were born by girls aged 15 to 19 in 2015. This is a frightening report. However, 1 million STIs are acquired every day,’’ she said.

    Read also: http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/50-nigerians-living-hiv-adolescents-unicef/

    Relaying the statistics further, Samuel said that the world was groaning under the heavy burden of sexually transmitted diseases.

    “Each year, there are estimated 357 million new infections, while globally more than 2 million 10 to 19-year-olds are living with HIV.

    “About one in seven of all new HIV infections occur during adolescence.

    In the U.S., 21 per cent of the adolescents had drunk alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse.

    “About 85 per cent of these youths live in developing countries, while we also have 32 per cent of Nigerian population as youths which half (48.6 per cent) of adolescents aged 15 to 19 are sexually active.

    “About 1 in 5 of sexually active females and 1 in 12 sexually active males had already engaged in sexual intercourse by the age of 15,’’ she said.

    Samuel said that the alarming statistics should call for urgent action so as not to lose the bulk of the productive population to untreatable diseases such as STDs and STIs.

    “These are real figures which should bring something to our mind and it is no other thing than fear, and a call to action, especially among our youths.

    “Our youths must be cautioned to refrain and advise. They all need to be guided not to waste their lives on what is worth waiting for.

    “The youths should start to avoid something they call a little thing that does not matter but are sexual behaviours such as kissing, keeping secret friendships and others.

    “We should focus on health education and STI prevention through school seminars, clubs, social media, parents, peer groups and proper counseling when STDs are detected early,’’ she said.

    NAN reports that the event has in attendance over 1,000 students drawn from schools in Lagos.

    NAN

  • 50% of Nigerians living with HIV are adolescents – UNICEF

    50% of Nigerians living with HIV are adolescents – UNICEF

    The United Nations Children Education Fund ( UNICEF ) said on Wednesday that 50 per cent of the 3.1 million Nigerians living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are adolescents, ranging from the age 15 to 24.

    The Officer in-Charge of UNICEF Field Office in Kaduna, Dr. Idris Baba, made the disclosure at a one day retreats with journalists to support adolescents and young persons.

    Baba said as the HIV prevalence rate is on the decline among adults, “it is unfortunately on the increase among adolescents.”

    “HIV in adolescents remains a big concern, at least seven local government areas – Chikun, Igabi, Lere, Kagarko, Birnin Gwari, Jaba and Jema’a – have higher prevalence of HIV among adolescents in the state,” Dr. Baba said.

    He said the organisation has scaled up support to tackle high HIV prevalence among adolescents in the seven LGAs.

    According to him, only seven per cent of the adolescents surveyed at the beginning of the intervention programme in March had tested and received their HIV result.

    He said the support being offered by UNICEF was on HIV prevention, treatment and care in the affected LGAs.

    The official disclosed that UNICEF had budgeted about N200 million to run the Adolescent and Young Persons (AYP) programme in the LGAs.

    He said despite the decrease in new HIV infections in the areas due to improved access to information, the rate of death among infected adolescents remained high.

     

     

  • Total Upstream, NiBUCAA take HIV/AIDS campaign to Lagos schools

    Total Upstream, NiBUCAA take HIV/AIDS campaign to Lagos schools

    To increase awareness on the universal health coverage goal and commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day, Total Upstream companies in Nigeria and Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) have launched a campaign for secondary schools in Lagos State.

    The campaign is aimed at helping youths – secondary school pupils to develop life skills that will enhance healthy behaviours, empowering the girl-child with skills on family life education, and equipping them with information on reproductive health-related issues.

    At the event at Dairy Farm Secondary School, Agege, Managing Director, Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Nicolas Terraz: “The theme for the World AIDS Day is: right to health. At Total, we cannot agree more. Just as all children have a right to education, we all also have a right to health. HIV/AIDS disease has been a great dilemma globally over the past decades. It is a concern that, up till now, the prevalence rate remains high due to the negligence and ignorance of the public.

    “The truth about HIV/AIDS is that it is not only a health challenge, but it is a developmental challenge as well because young people suffer the most infection rates. And as long as young people are the worst affected by the epidemic, the prospects for Nigeria remain bleak.”

    Terraz added: “The youth have a great role to play in heightening awareness and the prevention of this pandemic. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), prevention is not only better than cure, but cheaper and prevents complications.’’

    Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Gbenga Alabi, called for more efforts in ending HIV by 2030.

    “Every December 1 presents us with an opportunity to reflect on how far we have gone in addressing the challenges of HI/AIDS pandemic. Hence, the school setting provides a great opportunity in shaping students’ behavior and their thoughts.

    “Recent prevention gaps have identified the need for all countries to intensify efforts in HIV response  to end AIDS by 2030. The universal and inalienable right to health provides everyone with the right to realise the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination or stigma. Though HIV and AIDS is still very much around, but together the path towards winning the fight is bright if we can tailor the response to individual/group needs in our various programming.”

    Justifying the need to engage the pupils, Alabi said adolescents are victims of rising HIV-related deaths. He urged the pupils to join the Anti-AIDS Club to be established at Dairy Farm Secondary School, Sanngo Senior Secondary School and Keke Senior Secondary School.

    “Adolescents are the only age groups where AIDS –related deaths are rising daily occasioned by sexual exploitation, abuses and sometimes subjected to rape and other sexual violence. This school based project will empower students with reproductive health related information, empowering the girl-child with assertive skills as well as life building skills. In addition, anti-AIDS Club will be established in the beneficiary schools for reasonable coverage, effective participation and sustainability.”

    HIV and AIDS tool kits were presented to the beneficiary schools- Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School, Sanngo Senior Secondary School and Keke Senior Secondary School all situated in Education District 1 of the state.

    At the event were officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health led by Mrs. Adeyoju, Mr. Ayodele Adeyemi of Education District 1, where the beneficiary schools are located, representatives of Technical Partners to Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited – NAPIMS, Petrobras, Sapetro and CNOCC – principals and teachers of the beneficiary schools.

  • 16, 000 persons living with HIV died in Borno – NEPWAN

    16, 000 persons living with HIV died in Borno – NEPWAN

    The Borno chapter of the Network of Persons Living With HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWAN), said on Saturday that at least 16, 000 members of the organisation died in the last three years in the state.

    NEPWAN Chairman in the state, Hassan Mustapha, told journalists in Maiduguri that the victims died due to the activities of Boko Haram, which made it difficult for patients to access Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) and other support services.

    Mustapha stated this during an activity marking the 2017 World AIDS Day.

    He said more than 27, 000 persons were registered for ART between 2011 and 2014, in various designated centres in the state, adding that the number dropped to 11, 303 in 2017.

    He said the deaths were due to lack of access to treatment, non- compliance to the use of drugs and poor economic status of the persons living with the virus.

    Mustapha disclosed that the association confirmed the death of its members through visitation and phone calls to their families, noting that most of the deaths were not recorded at the ART centres.

    He added that the reduction in the number of persons on ART was a clear indication that the persons were either dead or missing.

    Mustapha maintained that the deaths were due to lack of access to ARV drugs in the communities affected by insurgency.

    “Most of the ART centres were closed down due to Boko Haram insurgency, thereby making it difficult for our members to access treatment.

    “HIV positive persons living in Damboa, Damasak, Monguno, Konduga, Malamfatori and other rural communities could no longer access treatment, as they could not afford transportation to travel to areas where services were available in Maiduguri and Biu.

    “The situation was further compounded by the inability of the state government to pay its counterpart fund for the HIV/AIDS campaign programme in the last three years.

    “Development partners could also not provide care and support services; economic strengthening support and other services to improve the health status of our members.

    “It is clear that the virus is not curable but it could be controlled through effective management. Thousands of our members stopped visiting clinics and when we reach out to locate them we find out that they were either dead or missing,” he said.

    NAN

  • Kano to propose compulsory HIV Testing bill

    Kano to propose compulsory HIV Testing bill

    The Kano State Government said on Friday that it had been working to propose a bill on compulsory HIV/AIDS testing for all new couples in the state.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr Kabiru Getso, disclosed this at a news conference to commemorate the World HIV/AIDS day in Kano.

    He said that the Ganduje administration had taken health as a priority and was working tirelessly to ensure quality healthcare delivery services in the state.
    Dr Getso explained that the state government, in collaboration with the state Hisbah Board, had proposed the bill, which was awaiting passage at the state house of assembly.

    According to him, “The state government had demonstrated concern about the care and control of HIV/AIDS by giving the scourge all the necessary attention it required’’.

    Read also: Kaduna: Ganduje spends N1billion on PHC delivery

    He stressed that the state government established the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), in order to record the progress and achievements so far witnessed in the control of AIDS in the state.

    “The state has, however, approved the sum of over N443 million to carry out many interventions and outreach services, as well as to create awareness across the state,’’ Getso said.

    The Commissioner said the government would continue to support people living with HIV/AIDS and would continue to create awareness on the prevention of the disease.

    The World Health Organization has declared every December 1st to be World HIV/AIDS Day, to give succour to people living with HIV/AIDS in the state

    NAN

  • JNI wants Kaduna to establish HIV/AIDS centres in LGAs

    JNI wants Kaduna to establish HIV/AIDS centres in LGAs

    The Jama,atul Nasirul Islam ( JNI ) Kaduna chapter has appealed to the state Government to establish more HIV/Aids centers across the 23 local governments to reduce the high rate of the scourage in rural areas.

    The chairman of JNI in the state, Alhaji Jafaru Makarfi made the call at a news conference in kaduna on Wednesday.

    Makarfi said the main purpose of the briefing was aimed at drawing the attention of the government on the significance of establishing the HIV/Aids treatment centres.

    “HIV/AIDS is a silent killer because many people are carriers but they don’t know they are carrying this sickness until they die.

    “In Kaduna alone we have about 700 orphans so with this number we should be in a place where they are segregated so that we can take care of them adequately,” he said.

    He noted that for the problem to be tackled, there was need for stakeholders to intensify effort toward making people to come forward to be tested.

    “This will enable them to know their own status early enough so that they will be able to save themselves since its can be completely eradicated.

    The chairman said, “JNI has the list of about 700 orphans in kaduna whose parents die of HIV/Aids.

    “In Kaduna alone not to talk of Local governments so we are expanding this to the 23 LGAs particularly in rural areas.

    “We don’t know who are the carriers because they claimed to have this sickness or the other without knowing what is bothering them ”

    Makarfi streesed the need for the media to create awareness on the need for people especially at the grassroots to avails themselves to be tested for HIV/Aids.

    According to him, the organisation was determined to employ and train people that would go house to house to check on the menance.

    “If we don’t likely in the next 20 years we are going to be a nation of widows and Orphans,” he said.

    He called on Non Governmental Organizations to come together under one umbrella with a view to sensitising the public on dangers of scourage. .

    “The government should also come in to collaborate with other organisations and fight the silent killer disease”

    He called on people to stop stigmatization saying that the disease is not infectious and therefore stop discrimination against people living with HIV/Aid.

    Malam Isah Kusalla, Secretary JNI kaduna chapter said the issue of HiV /AIDS is very important and streesed the need for intensified testing and taking care of those that have tested positive.

    Kufaina called on government and wealthy individuals to assist in catering for those affected by the disease.

    “Wealthy individuals should bring their Zakkat (Alms) to JNI for distribution to the poor as we have the means of accounting for whatever is given to us,” he said.

    Hajiya Aisha Usman, The coodinator, Al-Umma Foundation, an NGO said she has been living with HIV for over 17 years,adding the foundation is for women living with HIV/Aids under JNI.

    According to her, she has adopted no fewer than six orphans that are positive to HIV/AIDS and urged the government to look for centers where those children and their parents could be taken care of.

    NAN

  • Oyo SACA targets 13,000 for HIV/AIDs screening

    OYO State Agency for the Control of Aids (OYSACA) is targeting about 13,000 people for free HIV/AIDS counselling and screening across the 33 local governments area of the state.

    The figure, according to the agency is to be captured during a 9-day event to commemorate the 2017 annual Worlds Aids Day, slated for December 1. Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi made the disclosure at a preevent press conference which held at agency secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan to herald the annual commemoration. Mrs Ajimobi who doubles as the chairperson of the agency while unveiling plans for the commemoration said the agency is also looking at means of engaging religious leaders on how to help fight the spread of the disease at designated church and jumat services across the state. Speaking through the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Mr Obatunde Oladapo, the wife of the governor said aside from media campaigns, the agency will visit churches and mosques during worship services to enlighten religious leaders and also provide free screening and counselling for the people. Noting that stigmatisation of people living with the virus remains a huge challenge in the fight against the spread of the virus, Mrs. Ajimobi appealed to members of the public, particularly the media on the use of derogatory words that instills fear in the mind of the people who might be contemplating coming forward for the screening and test. She said: “Free counselling and screening will be available during the religious services, both at the Jumat and Church services.

    Three churches and three mosques will hold services simultane ously. We want to engage our religious leaders on those days so that they will enlighten and educate worshippers on the menace of the spread of the virus. “We are targeting at least 12,500 people for the test across the states. OYOSACA is also seeking to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to give free education to children living with the virus so as to tackle stigmatisation. Oyo state is the other state after Lagos state that commits the highest resources to the fight and campaign against HIV/Aids and we will not relent because there is great advancement in the cure for HIV/AIDs.”

    The State Coordinator, Civil Society on HIV/AIDs in Nigeria, (CISHAN), Mr Seun Onifade, pleaded with the members of the public to show the right attitude towards the spread of the virus and access treatment facilities to tackle the issue of spread. State Coordinator, Net work of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPHWAN), Mrs. Bukola Alabi stressed that the people need to have a re-orientation that HIV/AIDs have no cure as it has led to the early and untimely death of people living with the virus. Explaining that with recent progress in the areas of research and breakthrough on the virus, many people who have the virus but accessing available drugs and treatment are living healthy with no trace of the virus on their look. She pointed out that it is only when people don’t access treatment and drugs that they look haggard. According to her, until the people living with the virus are shown love and care, they may not be bold enough to come out for treatment and stop the spread of the virus, adding that it is the duty of all stakeholders to deploy all resources, financial and material, to curb the spread of the virus.

  • NYSC registers 2,071 corps members in Niger

    NYSC registers 2,071 corps members in Niger

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) says it registered 2,071 corps members comprising 991 males and 1,080 females for the 2017 Batch ‘B’ orientation course in Niger.

    Mrs Theresa Arokoyo, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, disclosed this on Thursday during the swearing-in-ceremony in Paiko.

    She called on corps members to participate actively in camp activities and acquire skills that would be beneficiary to them after the service year.

    Arokoyo disclosed that the scheme would partner with the state government in the development of its agricultural value chain programme.

    She commended the state government for its support and cooperation in ensuring effective and efficient performance of the scheme in the state.

    In his remarks, Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, urged corps members to be more patriotic as the nation continue to address its socio-economic and security challenges.

    Bello, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, said that the fight against epidemic diseases, illiteracy, pastoral crisis, poverty and collective quest for sustainable democratic governance required a collective efforts.

    “I challenge you to see yourselves as agents of change to sensitise our people towards the much-clamoured national orientation and nation building.

    “It is my belief that your education, exposure and call for national service have given you enough psychological and mental preparedness needed to fight those vices that deprive us of our deserved position in the comity of nations,” he said.

    Bello commended the corps members for their campaign against HIV/AIDS and drug abuse among youths in the state.

    He gave the assurance that corps members would be given adequate security in their respective places of primary assignment.

    NAN

  • Lagos seeks support to tackle cancer, HIV/AIDS

    THE Lagos State Government has identified the need to explore the private sector involvement in its drive to increase public awareness of cancer, HIV/AIDS to further stem the spread of these diseases. The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Pharm. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said that there is need for the Private sector and NonGovernmental Organizations to continually support and partner with government in the area of research and public education of these common diseases in the society.

    Speaking at an awareness outreach on Breast, Cervical Cancer Screening and HIV Testing and Counseling for Youth in Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area of the State, AkinbileYussuf added that the obligation of raising awareness about the potential killer diseases should be collectively pursued and not to be left to government alone. She lamented that presently, there are no sufficient awareness and knowledge on the causes of breast cancer among young people, stressing that the level of awareness about the signs to look out for when undergoing breast cancer examination should be improved upon.

  • UNAIDS, NNPA partner to empower journalists

    UNAIDS, NNPA partner to empower journalists

    The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) in collaboration with National Newspapers Publishers Association ( NNPA ), USA, have pledged to empower journalists in West and Central Africa with skills and gadgets to improve their proficiency.

    Dr Djibrill Diallo, Regional Director, UNAIDS, disclosed this during the regional media workshop organised by the agency in Dakar, Senegal, with the theme: “Informing the messengers to change the face of the fight against HIV in West and Central Africa’’.

    He said the partnership between UNAIDS and African-American media partner networks was within the framework of 2017-2021 Plan of UNAIDS.

    He said that UNAIDS has the support of the Deputy Secretary General of United Nation to design a sustainable funding mechanism for the partnership.

    While speaking on the conference, the regional director said that UNAIDS has designed a Catch-Up Plan for West and Central Africa with the aim of fast-tracking HIV/AIDS response in the region.

    He explained that the catch-up plan was an essential step towards the realisation 90-90-90 UNAIDS target by 2020 and ending AIDS as a public health challenge by 2030.

    Diallo said the 90-90-90 target means that 90 per cent of the population will know their status, while another 90 per cent of the people found to be living with HIV would be enrolled for treatment by 2020.

    The UN official added the last 90 refers to the 90 per cent of the people living with HIV, who are enrolled on treatment suppressed by the virus in their body by 2030.

    He said the catch-up plan is an 18-month initiative aimed at enhancing HIV response in the region to the speed of those countries already on track of achieving the 90-90-90 target.

    Diallo said the plan aims to put additional 1.2 million people living with HIV on treatment by the end of 2018.

    Speaking earlier, Mr Cloves Campbell, President of NNPA, said the partnership would enable reports emanating from journalists within the region to feature in over 205 African-American newspapers.

    He said that the partnership entails an exchange of journalists, supporting media organisations with equipment and attending the annual convention at USA for a greater networking.

    Campbell said this is to enable African-Americans have the reports from the origin devoid of distortion.

    NAN