The rates of people infected with HIV in Adamawa State have dropped to 0.8 percent among men and 1.4 percent among women.
The executive secretary of the Adamawa State AIDS Control Agency (ADSACA), Mohammed Chubado Abubakar, revealed on Wednesday that the rate contrasts with the average rate of 7.6 percent less than 20 years ago.
Abubakar, who spoke during HIV / AIDS Day in Yola, said that currently, the spread of HIV has been reduced by 93 percent in the state.
“HIV in Adamawa is declining because if you look back in history, around 2003 our prevalence rate was 7.6 percent, but now we are talking about 0.8 percent for men and 1, 4 percent for women.
“Even the infection rate among pregnant women for 2019 has dropped to 0.1 percent. In fact, if you test 1000 women, you only get 1 positive, ”he said.
Abubakar expressed optimism that the ailment will be completely eradicated by 2030 in the state, especially as the introduction of a powerful new drug known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) has been helpful.
He added that the serious intervention of his agency in collaboration with international partners has paid off.
“PEP is like a miracle drug. It really does suppress the virus and we are also working to end inequalities in terms of access to service delivery.
“We are doing many activities to eradicate the disease in the state. There is a program of testing services, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, prevention services, prevention of new HIV infections and administration of Antiretroviral Therapy.
“We have also introduced safe tests. In those days you have to go to the hospital to be tested and it has to be blood, now we have a test that can be done orally, “he added.
Adamawa HIV infection drops to 0.8% for men, 1.4% for women – ADSACA