By Matthew Tabe
Despite the high level of sensitization against HIV/AIDS, the Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Zakari Usman, has revealed that 43,373 people “are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the state.
Usman disclosed this Friday at a press conference to mark this year’s World AIDS Day celebration.
He charged the people to avail themselves of the preventive and curative measures provided by the government to tackle the HIV epidemic, and advised them to disregard the misconception by some citizens that HIV has a cure.
“I will assure you that the government will increase availability of quality and sustainable services for HIV treatment, testing and prevention to reduce its negative impacts. The government will also encourage reform laws, policies and practices to tackle the stigma and exclusion faced by people living with AIDS.
“The government will as well ensure the sharing of technology to enable equal access to the best HIV science, between communities. Getting tested for HIV is the only way to find out if you are infected as all people living with HIV are eligible to have access for the treatment,” he said.