No fewer than 4079 people are HIV infected in Bauchi, says BACATMA
The Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA), has revealed that no fewer than 4079 persons in Bauchi State have been confirmed to be HIV positive from January to September 2017.
This was made known Thursday in a press statement by the Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Mansur Mustapha Dada on the situation of HIV/ AIDS in Bauchi state as part of events to mark the 2017 World AIDS Day.
The event with the theme “Right to Health: Make it happen”, indicated that out of the said number of HIV victims in the state, a total of 247,990 persons have been counselled, tested and received results this year.
Dr Dada who added that out of 181 HIV pregnant women in the state , 107,771 have been counselled, tested and received results during the period under review, pointed out that from January to September 2017, a total of 382 HIV exposed babies have been delivered.
“The state has a total of 196 HIV counselling and Testing sites, 23 Anti-Retroviral Treatment sites and 113 Prevention of Mother to Children Transmission sites PMTCT in Tertiary, Secondary and Primary Health Facilities”. He said.
Dr Mansur while elaborating on the achievements of the agency said that the agency from 2015- 2017, have expanded PMTCT/HCT sites to at least 1 per ward for the 323 wards, adding that the 113 sites have been expanded to 171, hoping to become fully operational by January next year.
Other achievements he said include the enactment of law by Bauchi State House of Assembly against discrimination of HIV positive clients and premarital screening for HIV and HB Genotype, establishment of State of Arts Monitoring and Evaluation Unit at BACATMA and development of Bauchi State HIV/AIDs Response Strategic plan 2017-2021, amongst others.
“The agency plans to implement the Bauchi state HIV Response Sustainability Road Map which will guide the Bauchi state government in gradual takeover of external donor heavily dependent programme as well as sustain and expand awareness creation activities to the populace of adolescents and young adults”, he stated.
The BACATMA Secretary said the agency is been challenged in the areas of inefficient supply chain system of HIV commodities, poor follow-up of HIV exposed infants, limited access to PMTCT and HCT services, Stigma and discrimination, rising new infection among adolescents and young and many others.
From Samuel LUKA, Bauchi
