The Federal Capital Territory has effectively placed 61,384 HIV/AIDS patients on treatment.
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCT Administration, announced this in Abuja on Monday at a news conference commemorating World AIDS Day 2024.
Fasawe stated that the day’s theme, “Take the Right Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children,” called for a renewed focus on pediatric HIV and protecting the rights of all those impacted by the illness.
She defined World AIDS Day, which is observed on December 1 every year, as a day to join efforts, raise awareness, assist people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and honor the memories of those who have died.
Represented by the Director-General, the Hospital Management Board, Dr Olubenga Bello, the mandate secretary, said that figure represents 223 percent of the projected number of PLHIV.
Fasawe said that the number included those migrating from neighboring states.
She added that of the 61,384 people placed on treatment, 1,048 were children, representing 3.8 percent and receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy.
She said that FCT, with an estimated population of 6.95 million had HIV prevalence rate of 1.4 percent, a little over the national figure of 1.3 percent.
She said that the FCTA was currently expanding and strengthening HIV Services in the FCT.
“Our health sector response has been strengthened by a comprehensive network of 122 service delivery points, offering antiretrovirals across the six Area Councils in the FCT.
“Also, there are 285 other conventional spoke sites and 37 unconventional sites, which provide decentralized community-based care to ensure services reach even the most remote populations.
“The FCT’s decentralized model ensures that no one is left behind, enabling communities to access quality care and support close to home,” he said.
