FCT’s HIV Rate At 1.4% Sparks Concern Above National Norm
The Federal Capital Terriotory (FCT), with an estimated population of 6.95m people, has an HIV rate of 1.4%, which is slightly above the National average of 1.3% according to Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, a mandate secretary for the Health Services and Enviroment Secretariat.
This disclosure was made on Monday in Abuja during a press conference to mark the 2024 World Aids Day. Faswe highlighted the theme of this year’s event, ”Take the Right Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children”, This calls for a renewed focus on addressing pediatric HIV and safeguarding the rights of everyone affected by the disease.
The Director-General, Hospital Management Board Dr Olubenga Bello, the mandate secretary, revealed that of the 61,384 people placed on treatment, 1,048 were children, representing 3.8% and receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART). According to her, FCT, with an estimated population of 6.95 million had an HIV prevalence rate of 1.4 percent, a little over the national figure of 1.3%.
Faswe stated that the Federal Capital Terriortary Administration is currently strengthening HIV Services in the FCT, she also said that the FCTA is currently having 122 service delivery points, offering antiretrovirals across the six Area Councils in the FCT.
Other Innovative interventions.
Fasawe also further said that FCT has also trained unconventional caregivers,like traditional birth attendants, this is to emphasize the very importance of facility-based births, prophylaxis, and early infant diagnosis, with samples collected within the first 72 hours of life.
Others are community based initiatives like the Mothers’ Love party and the Ap3 initiative which further bolster support for the prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programs.
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