Sanwo-Olu Orders Search For 60,000 Run-Away HIV Carriers In Lagos

The Lagos State Government is on the search for about 60,000 persons who tested positive to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) but did not go back for treatment.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has thus charged the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) to find the individuals for immediate antiretroviral therapy.

The Governor gave the charge on Wednesday at the inauguration of the State’s HIV Consortium Group held at Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel in Victoria Island.

Sanwo-Olu said the wanted HIV victims were diagnosed of the virus but they were not captured in the State’s HIV Response Database. He said the search for the individuals was to enable the State administer adequate antiretroviral treatment on them and prevent the spread of the virus.

The Governor said one of the key healthcare goals of his administration is to reduce the number of new HIV infections and help victims manage the trauma in line with best practice. He disclosed that his Government, since inception, had sustained deployment of resources to fight Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) through LSACA, leveraging a multi-sectoral approach to achieve prevention and control.

He said: “Lagos State Government and its partners have worked and sacrificed resources to achieve the level of awareness that have significantly changed the behaviour of our people. This is evidenced by the reduction in the prevalence rate which currently stands at 1.4 per cent.

“Although, the current prevalence rate shows a reduction, it is still a source of concern when we consider the actual number of people within the bracket. There is therefore the need for us to step up our efforts to achieve a further reduction in the prevalence rate through aggressive public enlightenment campaign which must be taken to the nooks and crannies of the State.

“To further achieve progress in our efforts, I am charging LSACA and other stakeholders working in this space to help track 60,000 people who tested positive to HIV for immediate free treatment. We are not out to punish them. We want to ensure they have access to proper care.”

“Let us voluntarily present ourselves at designated centres to know our HIV status. Being HIV positive is no longer a death sentence as people living with HIV/AIDS will be supported with necessary medication to live a normal life.”

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said Governor Sanwo-Olu has demonstrated “uncommon commitment” to supporting healthcare delivery, noting that the Sanwo-Olu administration became the first to commit 15 per cent of the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to funding healthcare.

LSACA Director General, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, said the synergy between the agency and the consortium group would help the State to track all the 60,000 individuals who tested positive to the virus by September 2020.

She listed the benefits of the consortium, saying: “The synergising of efforts will complement and support main donors in prevention, care and treatment. We will be able to harness multi-sectoral partnership for mobilisation of resources for HIV interventions within and outside health sector.”

Also, Consul-General of the United States (U.S.) in Lagos, Ms Claire Pierangelo, pledged continued support for the State’s HIV/AIDS response.

She said American government would collaborate with all stakeholders in ensuring greatest impact for those in need of antiretroviral therapy.

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