Wango equally emphasized the need for urgent steps to be taken to avoid a situation where the productive population mostly hit would be further endangered
By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State AIDS Control Agency, BENSACA, has revealed that about 187,933 persons are currently infected with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, AIDS, and are currently receiving treatment at different locations.
Making the revelation while speaking with journalists in Makurdi, Acting Executive Secretary BENSACA, Titus Wango disclosed that the figure has placed Benue State the second highest in the country and first in the North Central region.
He however, noted that despite the state’s position, remarkable improvements have been recorded comparable to what used to be, adding that more efforts needed to be put in place in the area of sustainability to avoid further spread of the virus especially to rural areas.
Wango equally emphasized the need for urgent steps to be taken to avoid a situation where the productive population mostly hit would be further endangered, especially with the report released by the National AIDS Impact Indicators Survey that adolescent population is mostly affected.
He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for creating an enabling environment for partners to operate in the state, acknowledging with satisfaction, the support of APIN, AHA and other partners for their contribution in the control of HIV and AIDS response and urged all stakeholders to sustain support.