Over 46,000 Living with HIV/AIDS in Ogun, 12,654 Undetected Across the State

46,143 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Ogun State, which has a prevalence rate of 1.6 percent.

Out of these, 33,489 had been identified by the state government and placed on treatment.

The remaining 12,654 could not be traced and are residing in various communities across the state.

The Health Commissioner, Dr. Tomi Coker, rolled out the data on Tuesday in Abeokuta at a news conference as part of activities to mark the 2023 World Aids Day.

She said that 2,183 out of 782 thousand and five people tested between 2020 and this year, tested positive for HIV/AIDS.

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The commissioner said 400 HIV/AIDS testing centers had been established in the state’s 20 local government areas to boost the state’s testing capacity.

Also, 23 comprehensive treatment centers have been set up, while 497 health centers across the state are now providing HIV services.

Sadly, in Ogun State, 46,143 persons are estimated to be living with HIV while 33,489 of them have been identified and placed on sustained treatment.

However, 12,654 are yet to be reached. These individuals are spread within the communities. Hence the need for our communities to now take the lead in our response to ending HIV.

Our communities are pivotal to any successful response to HIV/AIDS because they are well-positioned to address both the social and cultural factors that contribute to HIV transmission.

Our health facilities currently providing HIV services have increased from 198 in 2019 to 497 as of November 2023.

About 300 community testers have been engaged and spread across the communities within the 20 LGAs for HIV case finding while our comprehensive treatment centers have been increased from 22 to 43, Coker said.

The Executive Secretary of Ogun State Action Committee of HIV/AIDS, Dr Kehinde Fatungase said, the state had set up HIV test centers in some tertiary institutions across the state for testing and counseling of students.

Fatungase urged the people, especially the youths to get tested and know their status so as to prevent the spread of the virus.