HIV/AIDS: World records 41.5m deaths in 2017 – WHO
A representative of World Health Organisation (WHO), Akim Bursali, at the weekend put the number of death from HIV/AIDS in 2017 worldwide at not fewer than 41.5 million persons.
Bursali stated this in Bauchi during an occasion in commemoration of 2017 World AIDS Day with theme “Right to health-making it happen”, organised by the wife of the Bauchi State Governor in collaboration with the Bauchi State Agency for the control of HIV/AIDs, Tuberculosis/Leprosy and Malaria, BACATMA, held in Misua Local Government Area of the state.
He said that an estimated 36.7 million persons are currently living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues recorded in history, adding that that the death rate from AIDS epidemic has decreased since it peak in 2005 with 1 million deaths in 2016 compared to 1.9 million deaths in 2005.
Bursali said: “We have achieved much in the past 30 years. Today, 21 million persons in the world are receiving anti-retroviral therapy that is enabling them to live full and productive lives.
“If we are to eliminate AIDS and viral hepatitis as public health threats, health services should be adapted to reach and meet the needs of those population most at risk and this includes implementing a zero tolerance policy on stigma and discrimination in all health services”.
In her address at the occasion, the wife of the governor and founder of Bauchi Sustainable Women Economic Empowerment Peace, (B-SWEEP), Hajiya Hadiza Abubakar said that Bauchi state government will improve access to HIV services and other infectious diseases, in such a way that each local government will have at least one treatment centre.
Hajiya Hadiza said that the state government will collaborate with relevant partners to ensure that the viral load machine is made available in the state in achieving the United Nations Global Vision which is aimed at ending new HIV infections by 2030.
The wife of the Governor had earlier on paid homage to the Emir of Misau, Ahmed Suleiman, where she donated 10 bags of rice, 15 bags of sugar, 10 cartoons of spaghetti and 10 bags of assorted grains to officials of Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, NEPWHAN.
