The Commissioner for Health in Gombe State, Dr Habu Dahiru, says the state has made progress in reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Dahiru made the disclosure on Monday at a news conference to commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day held in Gombe.
He said that the state achieved the feat aimed at achieving an AIDS-free status in the state, in partnership with critical stakeholders.
He said that through renewed advocacies and engagement of critical stakeholders, the state was able to increase the number of pregnant women going for test during antenatal services.
“Mother-to-child transmission has been reduced significantly, and I can boldly say that we are no longer delivering babies that are infected with HIV in the state,” Dahiru said.
He also said that a lot of efforts had been made toward testing more persons for the disease, in order to place those who are positive on free treatment.
According to him, between January and September, 21,072 persons were tested.
“And of the number, those found to be positive are 134 and they have been placed on treatment.
“Those on treatment and have attained viral suppression are 19,743.
“So, we are able to get 96 per cent of the total population tested and able to put 96 per cent of those on medication to suppress the infection.
“Those on treatment, totalling 96 per cent, have been virally suppressed and efforts are sustained to ensure that the feat is maintained,” he said.
The commissioner emphasised the need for those who have yet to ascertain their HIV status to come out and get tested.
The Project Manager, Gombe State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Mr Hassan Dawaki, commended the State Government for providing funds to purchase test kits, drugs and other consumables.
Dawaki, therefore, appealed to men to allow their pregnant wives to get tested so they could know their status and what to do to protect their babies.
He decried the impact of drug abuse on the fight against HIV in the country and urged youths to embrace the use of contraceptives. (NAN)
