The Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, has urged all Nigerians to use the occasion of Valentine’s Day to get tested for HIV.
With the day symbolizing love and togetherness, especially for young people, Dr. Aliyu believes that it presents an opportune moment to prioritize one’s health and well-being.
He highlighted the significance of knowing one’s HIV status as a crucial step towards preventing, treating, and managing the virus.
Speaking in Abuja, Dr. Aliyu stressed the need for all Nigerians, particularly young people, to prioritize expressing love within the context of caring for their loved ones, in order to protect them from harm and reduce their vulnerability to HIV/AID to sexually transmitted infections.
His remarks underscored the importance of being aware of one’s health status, particularly on the occasion of Valentine’s Day, as an opportune time to prioritize one’s health and well-being.
In his closing remarks, He urged Nigerians to prioritize their health and avoid risky behaviour as the country commemorates Valentine’s Day.
With women being the most affected group, particularly in the context of the 1.9 million people living with HIV in Nigeria in 2021, Dr. Aliyu stressed the need for individuals to know their HIV status and see treatment if necessary.
Notably, the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme reports that 90% of Nigerians who are HIV positive are aware of their status, with 98% of those individuals on treatment and 95% achieving viral suppression.
As of September 2022, over 1.6 million people living with HIV in Nigeria were receiving treatment, marking a significant increase from 838,020 individuals in 2017.
With the number of HIV treatment sites expanding from 251 in 2007 to 2,262 in 2020, the country is making strides in its efforts to control the spread of HIV and improve the health and well-being of its citizens.
