Thousands of residents in Niger state have tested positive to the deadly HIV/AID virus which currently has no cure but can be managed with orthodox drugs.
A 2015 cumulative report from Niger State government has stated that a total number of 177,988 people were counseled and tested for HIV/AIDS out of which 19,396 were found positive, according to the DailyPost.
To mark the World AIDS Day, the permanent secretary, State Ministry of Health, Dr Ibrahim Tiffin, speaking to journalists at a news conference yesterday in Minna said 15,444 people are currently on antiretroviral therapy, ART treatment in Niger State to date.
According to him, the prevalence of HIV in Niger State has decreased from 4.0 per cent to 1.7 per cent, which is below the national average of 3.0 per cent and lowest in north central zone.
Tiffin noted that continuous supply of test kits and commodities to 310 existing prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS have been sustained as pregnant women who attend antenatal care are often counseled and tested.