Dr Cletus Shurkuk, Plateau State Commissioner for Health, says the state recorded 2, 260 new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections and 581 deaths from the disease in 2023.
Shurkuk said this on Saturday in Jos, at an event to commemorate the 2024 World AIDS day which is marked globally on Dec. 1, with this year’s theme “Take the Right Path”.
According to him, 45, 835 persons in Plateau were living with the disease and were on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
He revealed that the state government had expanded its testing services to over 900 health care facilities and has also increased awareness about HIV prevention and treatment.
He further explained that the state had improved its strategies to halt mother-to-child transmission of HIV by successfully conducting tests for 46, 828 pregnant women between January to June 2024.
Shurkuk, said the state had achieved 88-98-95 target towards meeting with the UNAIDS target of 99-95-95 by 2030, which was a path way to HIV epidemic control.
The official, who said the theme for 2024 WORLD AIDS was appropriate, noted that for the right path to be taken, there was need for increased comprehensive sex education and awareness, particularly among the young people, who were key to shaping a more informed future generation.
He called for more community engagement, increased access to healthcare and more research and innovations towards the disease.
Shurkuk, commended development partners for collaborating with the state in providing quality health care services to its citizens.
