In Just 3 months, Borno IDP Camps records 3,800 fresh cases of HIV

According to Guardian Newspaper, about 3,800 fresh cases of HIV infections have been documented in the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps within the state just between January and March 2017.

The Executive Secretary, Borno Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, BOSACA, Malam Barkindo Saidu, revealed this in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, and stated that the fresh cases were recorded following a voluntary screening exercise carried out in 15 IDPs camps within the state.

Saidu said presently about 2.4%of the State’s population or about 108,000 people are moving around with HIV and AIDS, going by the demographic survey made available by the National Population Commission, NPC.

He said: "We recorded 3,800 new cases of HIV between January-2017 and March-2017. Also, 70 children in the IDPs camps tested positive. So far, in the whole state we have about 18,101 new cases of persons living with HIV within this period and only 9,438 are currently coming for the Anti-Retroviral Therapy and counselling. 

"Our challenges are enormous and cannot be over emphasised. It will interest you to note that Borno state have not participated in any HIV programme in the last two years.

"Only tiny portion of the people living with HIV and AIDs can access treatment because most anti-retroviral centres have closed.

“Within the last six years, the state was only able to achieve nine per cent out of its HIV reduction prevalence rate in Borno state. 

“This was because the government and other support partners have not given priority attention to the plight of such persons.

“Governor Shettima had approved N45 million counterpart funding for HIV development programmes since December 2016, but the fund is yet to be released.

“Three months ago, I wrote a letter to about 29 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to come to the plight of such persons but only UNICEF is assisting.

“On the 30 March, the Federal Government had received grant for HIV, TB and Malaria from Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Maleria (GPATM). We cannot access this fund until the state government provide counterpart support funding.’’

While appealing to Borno state government to release fund, he also admonished NGOs to support people living with the disease.