The Abia State Agency for the Control of AIDS, ABSACA, has disclosed that 46,788 persons are currently undergoing treatment for HIV/AIDS in the State.
The Director General of ABSACA, Dr Uloaku Emma gave the figure on Tuesday during a meeting organized by the wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti for members of the Abia State chapter of Network of People living with HIV/AIDS in the Nigeria, NEPWHAN, and key population group.
Uloaku who reiterated the agency’s commitment in eradicating every form of stigma against persons living with HIV/AIDS, explained that ABSACA has taken critical steps at achieving zero new infections.
Addressing the members of NEPWHAN during the meeting at her residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Mrs Otti reaffirmed her commitment to improving the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS through advocacy, support, and empowerment.
While condemning stigma faced by affected individuals, she expressed her resolve to combat the stigma, provide hope for affected individuals.
She emphasized that HIV is not a death sentence and urged those affected to embrace treatment while negative rejecting societal judgments.
“I am encouraged by the progress we are making to suppress the spread of the disease but we must do more to prevent new infections and ensure a stigma-free society”, said Mrs Otti.
Mrs Otti also announced plans to collaborate with key stakeholders to domesticate laws prohibiting discrimination and stigmatisation of people living with HIV/AIDS in Abia.
She called on women and youths engaged in commercial sex work to seek alternative opportunities, promising to initiate skill acquisition programs to empower and uplift them.
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