Kano govt procures N69m test kits to stem HIV/AIDS
The Kano government has expended N69 million on procurement of rapid test kits to stem HIV/AIDS transmission in the state.
The Commissioner for Health Dr Labaran Yusuf, stated this at a news conference to mark the 2023 World AIDS Day, on Friday in Kano.
According to Yusuf, the test kits are being distributed to 590 health facilities to address prolonged challenges of out of stock.
He said the move aimed at providing universal access to testing equipment in line with the goal of reaching 95 per cent of the people to know their HIV status by 2025.
The Commissioner said the Ministry and the state Agency for the Control of AIDS would continued to provide intensive HIV services through effective engagement of communities and civil society groups.
He said the state government also spent N5.9 million on procurement of third line medicines to enhance care and treatment to positive living persons.
“On World AIDS Day, we stand in solidarity with 38 million people worldwide, two million in Nigeria who are living with HIV and those who lost their lives to AIDS,” ge said.
He described the theme of the Day: “Let Communities Lead” as a clarion call to showcase crucial role communities play towards ending HIV/AIDS scourge.
Yusuf reiterated commitment of Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf to make communities frontrunners in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the state.
He said the ministry and the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA) with support of the USAID – LHSS project enrolled over 600 people living with HIV under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
Yusuf said that 4,728 out of the 138,430 persons tested positive to HIV from January to date, adding that 46,732 positive persons had been placed on Anti Retroviral Theraphy (ART) in the state.
“I want to inform you that for the first time, we achieved a state HIV budget target of three per cent, N2 billion submitted to state assembly by the governor”.
He, therefore, urged communities to champion the campaign against stigma and discrimination to enhance universal access to treatment, care and support services. (NAN)
