AIDS Day:Yobe Leads HIV Fight With 9,854 Individuals On Life-saving Treatment
By Alhaji Yusuf,Damaturu
The Yobe State Government has said that 9,854 people living with HIV/AIDS are now receiving life-saving treatment, ensuring that they lead healthy lives and cannot transmit the virus.
Dr. Jibril Adamu Damazai,Executive Director of the Yobe State Agency for the Control of AIDS (YOSACA),announced the figures during a press briefing in Damaturu.
The event, themed “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” gathered state health officials and development partners.
He revealed that Yobe maintains the lowest HIV prevalence rate in the country at 0.4%—a status Dr. Damazai credited to aggressive and innovative strategies.
“We are not resting on this success. We are redoubling efforts to drive this prevalence rate even lower,” he stated.
According to Dr. Damazai,the state’s approach combines massive community outreach with proven science. The state government has funded the procurement of 120 million test kits, enabling teams to go door-to-door to find undiagnosed individuals.
“In light of shifting global funding, Yobe is at the forefront of a pivotal national transition. Nigeria is proactively developing strategies to ensure an uninterrupted response,” he said.
Dr. Damazai confirmed that “the Federal Government has initiated plans for the domestic manufacturing of HIV medications.”
He lauded the commitment of Governor Mai Mala Buni, whose administration has increased funding for the AIDS agency by 400% and provided a permanent office complex.
“This support has been crucial in expanding services to over 100 treatment sites across the state,” he added.