Soaring HIV/AIDS Prevalence Worries Stakeholders
- By Super Admin
- Published 06/16/2010
- News
- Unrated
The monthly monitoring and evaluation meeting of the Nasarawa State HIV/AIDS programme development project has kicked-off in Lafia, the state capital, with a startling revelation of increase in the rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence in the metropolis.
A data analysis presented by the Lafia Local Government Council’s M&E officer, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed Umar indicated that out of the 1,483 tests carried out in about 13 health facilities within the council, 276 persons tested positive in the early part of this year.
According to the M&E officer, in spite of the frightening revelation, the people of Lafia were still engaged in practices that promote the prevalence of the disease. In the same vein, additional support was required from the local authorities to improve the needed support to stem the tide of the disease.
In his remarks, the M&E technical adviser for the Enhancing Nigeria Response (ENG), Mr. Kogi A. Joseph, described the data as a challenge to the authorities of the council and by extension all policy makers at the federal, state and local government levels, revealing that 98 per cent of funds used in fighting the dreaded HIV/AIDS scourge in the country was being provided by donor agencies with the Nigerian government contributing a meagre two per cent.
He, therefore, called for increased efforts on the part of the government and other stakeholders through the creation of awareness about the disease in order to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.
In his remarks, the Lafia Local Government Council secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed Tajuddeen, acknowledged the challenge posed by the disease, assuring that the council would redouble its efforts and work more closely with both LACA and other stakeholders, particularly in the area of preventing the spread of the disease.
He maintained that the fight against the dreaded HIV/AIDS must be well articulated and organized, commending the state government for its concern over the increasing prevalence of the disease in the state.
The meeting was attended by M&E officers from the 13 local government areas of the state and other stakeholders.
A data analysis presented by the Lafia Local Government Council’s M&E officer, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed Umar indicated that out of the 1,483 tests carried out in about 13 health facilities within the council, 276 persons tested positive in the early part of this year.
According to the M&E officer, in spite of the frightening revelation, the people of Lafia were still engaged in practices that promote the prevalence of the disease. In the same vein, additional support was required from the local authorities to improve the needed support to stem the tide of the disease.
In his remarks, the M&E technical adviser for the Enhancing Nigeria Response (ENG), Mr. Kogi A. Joseph, described the data as a challenge to the authorities of the council and by extension all policy makers at the federal, state and local government levels, revealing that 98 per cent of funds used in fighting the dreaded HIV/AIDS scourge in the country was being provided by donor agencies with the Nigerian government contributing a meagre two per cent.
He, therefore, called for increased efforts on the part of the government and other stakeholders through the creation of awareness about the disease in order to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.
In his remarks, the Lafia Local Government Council secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed Tajuddeen, acknowledged the challenge posed by the disease, assuring that the council would redouble its efforts and work more closely with both LACA and other stakeholders, particularly in the area of preventing the spread of the disease.
He maintained that the fight against the dreaded HIV/AIDS must be well articulated and organized, commending the state government for its concern over the increasing prevalence of the disease in the state.
The meeting was attended by M&E officers from the 13 local government areas of the state and other stakeholders.
