UYO
Akwa Ibom State HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has dropped 4.8 per cent to 4.3 , indicating a decrease by 5 per cent from 2018-2024 report.
Similarly, number of the People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHIV), and placed on treatment has increased to 159,000 from 37,000 , while viral load suppression is 47 per cent as against 19 per cent, all from 2018 – 2024, under review.
This was revealed at the summary sheet pubic release event for the Nigeria State-Level Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Impact Survey in Akwa Ibom State (AISAKS 2024) at Four -Points by Sheraton ,Ikot Ekpene , Thursday.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John, who received the report,observed that the survey would help to examine HIV response just as there was a slight drop in prevalence rate while treatment and viral load suppression increase , showing that PLWHIV were managing their health status.
He acknowledged that the report showed that there were gaps, which necessitate more action from stakeholders against HIV to reduce new infections in the state.
He said that HIV was like any other chronic disease and it was pertinent to stop stigmatization such that people can come out for testing and treatment.
“Therefore, it’s a call on everyone to come out of shell to be tested, treated and be monitored for viral load suppression, everybody has a role to play to scale up case finding with speed,” he added.
He stressed that except there was massive programming for the first global 95 target, which is HIV testing,every part of the ’95- 95- 95 would be a failure, and that it was not enough for the United States Government to identify the problems from survey ,but a call to them, including partners to provide more support for massive testing.
John noted that Governor Umo Eno was committed to reforming the state’s health as demonstrated in the releasing of counterpart funds in all the thematic areas; malaria,HIV/AIDS, and family planning.
He commended the technical working committee , lined ministries implementing partners, community based organizations , researchers, networks and traditional rulers for their roles in enhancing a successful survey in the state.
He further hinted that the Ministry of Health was collaborating with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, to ensure the distribution of the ARISE Free Food to all the People Living With HIV/AIDS(PLWHIV) in the 31 local government areas of the state.
Presenting the State 2024 Summary Sheet,, the AIS Lead Strategist ,Public Health Initiatives and Patient HIV Information System3 ( APIN/PHIS3), Dr Ubong Okon, said it was a household-based survey conducted from October 2024 to assess the impact of the Akwa Ibom State HIV response.
According to him, adults aged 15-64 years were sampled in terms of providing HIV counseling, testing, prevention , treatment and care services, noting that the survey was similar to the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) in 2018
” The primary objective of AISAKS 2024 was to estimate ART coverage among people living with HIV in Akwa Ibom State.It also estimated state-level HIV prevalence among adults as well as the prevalence of viral load suppression(VLS),” he explained.
The Head of Surveillance and Survey, National Agency for the Control of AIDS(NACA), Dr Fatima Jajere in her remarks, extolled all the stakeholders for their contributions toward the successful exercise, noting that the impact assessment provides a valuable ,reliable and useful document for effective HIV response .
She appreciated the Akwa Ibom State government for providing a conducive environment for the successful execution of the project in the state and reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to ensure sustainable programme implementation in the drive to achieve the global targeted 95-95-95; which is people knowing HIV status by testing, access treatment and achieve viral load suppression .
Also speaking,the Coordinator , National HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Programme(NASCP), Dr Adebobola Bashorun in his remark said they were delighted that the two years of painstaking, planning, coordination , analysis, and implementation with hard work, sacrifices and dedication by stakeholders have culminated into dessimination of summary.
He stressed that the survey provides invaluable evidence to the strengthening of HIV programming,guide policy decisions, case findings,enhance quality care and treatment to achieving epidemic control to improve health outcomes of the citizens.
While assuring the state of the NASCP’s commitment to collaboration, he added that the data would enhance the sharing of insight, making of actionable and purpose driven approach to reduce the burden of HIV in the state.
Dr Olaposi Olatoregun, Deputy Director Programme ,APIN/PHIS3, who made an overview of the ART Impact Assessment, said that in the exercise, population-based HIV assessment was undertaken among 3,000 households across the state.
He stated that the survey was prioritized in terms of HIV testing,treatment coverage, prevention and suppression for 95- 95-95 target.
The Project Manager, Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS (AKSACA), Dr Enobong Akpan, maintained that the assessment shows the level of progressed made in the campaign against HIV, especially in viral load suppression, and in case finding which was 19 per cent as of 2018, but now 47 per cent, indicacating a very significant milestone and showcasing various effort put in the HIV response since 2018.
He pointed out from the report, gaps have been identified which would be used especially in case findings.
“When you have 4.3 per cent rate of prevalence, it means that out of every 100 persons, you have about four persons living with HIV, with estimated Akwa Ibom population of 7.8 million people, it means that you are talking about a statics of over 300 people living with the virus,” he said.
Akpan informed that the programming by the state and partners,have been able to identify half of the number( 159,000) , with another half still living in the communities, entailing to be found and put on treatment for viral load suppression, adding; “otherwise,the virus would continue to spread”.
“That is the work that is ahead of us, that is the essence of the summary, meaning to expand case findings, innovate in terms of strategies and ensure that no community structure is left behind”.
Goodwill messages were given by the U.S Government, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention(NCDC), NMOD ,Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS( NEPWHAN) ,
The survey was led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through the National AIDS , Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme,in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention,and the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health.
It was supported by the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the U.S Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, with Public Health Information Surveillance Solutions and Systems, providing technical assistance to the government.