Benue HIV-AIDS rate drops from 12.9 to 4.7%

Coordinator North Central zone of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Mr Lawrence Kwaghga, Wednesday, stated that prevalence rate for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has dropped from 12.9 percent to 4.7 percent in Benue state.


Mr Kwaghga stated this when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Samuel Ortom at the Benue Government House, Makurdi.


Mr Kwaghgba noted that the desire of NACA and the world in general was to end the spread of HIV-AIDS by 2030.
He acknowledged the support of the Benue state government to the fight against the spread of the virus.
He said there was need for increased budgetary allocation to the state and zonal offices of NACA to be able to achieve set goals and he urged government at all levels to sustain and increase funding for the fight against the AIDS pandemic.


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


Governor Ortom in his response 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 virus.

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