From 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.
Its Acting Executive Secretary, Titus Wango, who gave the revelation while speaking with journalists in Makurdi, disclosed that the figure placed Benue as the second highest in the country and first in the North-Central region.
He, however, noted that despite the state’s position, remarkable improvements had been recorded, adding that more efforts are needed in the area of sustainability to avoid further spread of the virus, especially to rural areas.
Wango equally emphasised the need for urgent steps to be taken to avoid a situation where the productive population are endangered, especially with the report released by the National AIDS Impact Indicators Survey that adolescents are 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 in the control of HIV and AIDS response, and urged all stakeholders to sustain their support.
