HIV-AIDS prevalence rate drops from 12.9 to 4.7 percent in Benue

HIV-AIDS PREVALENCE RATE DROPS FROM 12.9 TO 4.7 PERCENT IN BENUE

By Jimin Geoffrey

Prevalence rate for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, which causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, AIDS has dropped from 12.9 to 4.7 percent in Benue State.

Zonal Coordinator, North Central Zone of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, Mr Lawrence Kwaghga disclosed this today when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Samuel Ortom at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi.

While acknowledging the support of the Benue State government to the fight against the spread of the scourge, Mr Kwaghgba noted that the desire of NACA and the world in general was to end the spread of HIV-AIDS by 2030.

He pledged sustained and increased funding from government at all levels, stressing that there was need for increased budgetary allocation to the state and zonal offices of NACA to be able to achieve set goals.

Mr Lawrence solicited revival of local offices of the agency for improved service delivery, pointing out that government support in terms of funding at this point was imperative.

Governor Samuel Ortom expressed delight over the sharp drop in the prevalence rate of HIV-AIDS and pledged his administration’s support for the agency to achieve set objectives.

The Governor pledged improved funding for the agency in the state, even as he acknowledged the support of donor agencies and development partners to the fight against the spread of the deadly scourge.