From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Osun State Agency for the Control of AIDS (O’SACA) has announced that the state is making significant progress in the fight against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), with over 28,000 individuals receiving treatment out of approximately 50,000 people living with the disease in the state.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Adeniyi Oginni, urged people living with the disease to come forward for tests to start receiving treatment and be liberated from the disease.
Dr. Oginni made this appeal while distributing HIV prevention tools to stakeholders in Osogbo on Tuesday. He explained that the distribution of commodities to all 31 Local Agency for the Control of AIDS (LACA) Managers, the Network of People Living with AIDS (NEPWHAN), implementing partners, Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) working on HIV, Civil Society working on HIV/AIDS (CiSHAN), and some ART clinics in the state was part of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s efforts to stop the further spread of the disease.
According to Dr Oginni, around 50,000 people are still living with HIV in Osun, with 28,000 already receiving treatment. He noted, “Available statistics show that the prevalence of HIV in Osun State is 0.9%. With an estimated population of 5.2 million people, this translates to about 50,000 persons living with the virus in the state.
“28,000 of them are already on treatment for HIV. There are still many who have not come forward for testing. We urge people to get tested. If you know your status, you can start treatment immediately, reaching a level where you are no longer a threat to yourself or the community.
“The current medications can prevent the virus from destroying your immune system and stop transmission to others.
“As part of the state government’s efforts to enhance disease prevention and achieve ownership of the HIV response for sustainability, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, approved the procurement of prevention tools and test kits by the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (O’SACA).
“We distributed prevention commodities aimed at preventing HIV transmission. These tools include condoms to prevent transmission during sexual activities, lancets for testing, and gloves to protect individuals from biomedical hazards. Additionally, sharp boxes for disposing of sharp instruments, medical consumables like methylated spirit, cotton wool, and biomedical waste were provided.
“The goal is to prevent further spread of HIV. Governor Ademola Adeleke’s approval to procure this equipment demonstrates his commitment to this cause.
“We hope this will significantly move the state towards achieving the goal of zero new infections and contribute to the global goal of ending HIV and AIDS by 2030,” Dr Oginni said.