By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Director General, Taraba Aids Control Agency Dr. Bako Ali Istifanus has disclose that HIV prevalence for Taraba state is the highest in the North – East.
He made the disclosure shortly after the Candle lighting to kick start this year’s World Aids Day Celebration organize by the Network of People living with HIV AIDS held at the TACA office premises, Jalingo.
“HIV prevalence for Taraba state is 2.90% (NAIIS 2018) the highest in North –East , Spectrum estimate for 2025 is 2.16%.
“If people can come agreed to go and check their HIV status just as the way they go to check for their Blood Sugar, Typhoid, Malaria amongst others, there will be free HIV.
“I encourage people to test their HIV status, so as to meet up the 2030 target of HIV free in the state and the country at large.
He appreciated Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas for supporting the 2025 World Aids Day Celebration in the state.
“Other states are celebrating the Day in low key, but that of Taraba State it is in higher key courtesy our Governor Dr Abgu Kefas.
The Director General said that the purpose of the Candle lighting program is aimed at remembering people who died as a result of the disease.
In her remarks, the NEPHWAN State Secretary, Akkim Amawo said that the Network of People living with HIV (NEPHWAN), is an umbrella body of all organizations and support groups to protect the rights, Health and Dignity of people living with HIV, through advocacy, reducing stigmatization and discrimination across communities, workplace and Health care settings. Others are, Capacity building within people and Human right.
“NEPHWAN collaborate with Government and Partners such as, National Council on Aids (NACA), Federal Ministry of Health, Donors and Implementating Partners. The current project nationwide is the GC7, that gives job opportunities for women as mentors mothers train to save lives of pregnant positive mother and their unborn child to prevent transition of mother to child bringing us to a free HIV – she said.
According to statistics of HIV/AIDS in the state shows that, Number of people tested are as follows, Female 501,138, Male 43,963 totalling 108,103 and the number of people living with HIV/AIDS shows that, Ages 0-19 years, 2,674, 20 years and above 47,636, totalling 50,310.