Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Despite progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Plateau State is still grappling with a heavy disease burden.
The state reports 2,520 New HIV Infections in one year.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, raised the alarm over the current HIV prevalence rate of 1.6%, which surpasses the national average of 1.4%.
“As of December 2024, Plateau State recorded 2,520 new HIV infections, and 46,126 persons living with HIV are currently receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART),” Baamlong disclosed during a press briefing in Jos on Saturday.
The commissioner highlighted a series of aggressive steps being taken by the state to curb the spread of the virus.
These include the expansion of family life and health education, increased funding for HIV awareness, and testing initiatives across communities.
“We are scaling up our community-based HIV interventions, including sensitisation campaigns, targeted testing, and retesting for key and vulnerable populations, including pregnant women,” he said.
Baamlong added that the state has also completed a mapping of all Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) involved in HIV services in collaboration with the Civil Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CISHAN), aiming to ensure equitable access to prevention and care.
In a bid to reinforce its institutional frameworks, the state government is currently renovating the Plateau AIDS Control Agency (PLACA) office complex.
“The facelift will not only enhance the working environment for staff but also improve donor confidence and attract more support for our HIV response,” Baamlong noted.
Reaffirming the state’s resolve, he emphasized the ongoing collaboration with stakeholders, development partners, and communities to build on current achievements and ensure no one is left behind in the HIV response.
