IDP monitor: 512 new HIV cases recorded in Borno IDP camps

by Usman Alabi

Borno Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS executive secretary says 512 new cases of HIV infections have been recorded in Internally Displaced Persons camps in the state. He said the cases were recorded after voluntary screening in some IDP camps in the state.

“We are currently conducting voluntary screening on HIV/AIDS in IDPs camps across the state to determine the status of the people, especially those rescued from the Boko Haram terrorists.

“As at last week, we have recorded 512 positive cases, among which two are children,”, he said.

You recall that officials had earlier said no fewer than 5,000 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in 27 camps in the state are currently living with the virus. Mr Saidu said that the state had witnessed rising cases of the disease due largely to the Boko Haram terrorism.

“Currently, 2.4 per cent of the population of the state are living with HIV and AIDS, which translates to 108, 000 persons, going by the record of the National Population Commission.

“But only a tiny portion of these people can access treatment because most anti retroviral centres have been closed, he further explained that only 32 out of the 90 anti retroviral centres were still operational in the state.

“Before the Boko Haram terrorism, we had 90 treatment centres across the state, but only 32 are still functional today.

“The rest have been closed down due to the Boko Haram terrorism,” Mr Saidu said.

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