From: Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS has revealed that the prevalence rate for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, which causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, AIDS has dropped from 12.9 to 4.7 percent in Benue State.
Zonal Coordinator, North Central Zone of the Agency, Mr Lawrence Kwaghgba made the disclosure yesterday during a courtesy call on Governor Samuel Ortom at the Government House, Makurdi.
Kwaghgba who acknowledged the support of the Benue State government in the fight against the spread of the scourge, noted that the desire of NACA and the world in general is to end the spread of HIV-AIDS by 2030.
He pledged sustained and increased funding from government at all levels, even as he stressed that there was need for increased budgetary allocation to the state and zonal offices of NACA to be able to achieve set goals.
The Zonal Coordinator further solicited revival of local offices of the agency for improved service delivery, pointing out that government support in terms of funding at this point is imperative.
Responding, Governor Samuel Ortom expressed delight over the sharp drop in the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS and pledged his administration’s support to the agency to achieve its set objectives.
The Governor pledged improved funding to the agency in the state, even as he acknowledged the support of donor agencies and development partners to the fight against the spread of the deadly scourge.
