Bauchi State Ministry of Health has revealed that it identified over 2,000 new cases of HIV of which over 98% of them were linked to treatment within the year alone.
The disclosure was made by the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sabiu Abdu Gwalabe while addressing Journalists to mark the 2022 World AIDS Day saying, “this is the highest number of new cases detected in any year in the State, which was due to the dedication and new approaches deployed by our Staff and Partners”.
According to him, “These huge successes were a result of concerted efforts being put in place by the State and all the stakeholders, importantly the political will demonstrated by the Government of Bauchi State under the Leadership of the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir”.
He then said that the Global Strategies aimed at eliminating HIV by the Year 2030 hinge on the success of three targets areas which include: Identifying 95% of the estimated number of people living with HIV through robust HIV testing services; Enrolling 95% of those tested positive on treatment and Ensuring that 95% of those on treatment achieved viral load suppression.
The Commissioner added that recent scientific evidence has shown that HIV patients that attained a level of viral suppression can no longer transmit the infection to others; U = U (Undetectable = Untransmisible).
He further said that the 2019 National AIDS Impact Indicator Survey (NAIIS) conducted in the country showed that the State had 0.4% with an estimated current population of about 8 million people.
He also said that the State currently would have an estimated number of about 30,000 people living with HIV, out of the 30, 000; 29, 160 of them have already been identified representing 97%.
Likewise, 27, 639 of those who knew their HIV Positive Status are currently on treatment representing 95% coverage, however, the State has only 25, 284 out of the 27, 639 on ART who were able to achieve Viral Load Suppression (91%).
“Ladies and Gentlemen, gladly the State have gone so far in achieving a significant that signifies hope of eliminating HIV because we have attained the following levels of achievements; 97-95-91”, he added.
Sabiu Gwalabe said that “This is cheering news that Bauchi State has achieved two of the three targets and is close to achieving the last one even earlier much than the Year 2030”.
