33,882 Residents Living With HIV In Osun, Health Commissioner Reveals

…As OSACA Sensitises Residents

The Osun State Government has disclosed that 33,882 individuals are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the state.

Speaking at the 2024 World AIDS Day event held at Adolak Event Centre, Osogbo, the Commissioner for Health, Barrister Jola Akintola, highlighted the state’s progress in testing and awareness campaigns.

According to Akintola, a total of 151,876 individuals have been tested for HIV, with 1,307 testing positive, including 41 pregnant women.

The event, organized by the Osun State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OSACA), emphasized the importance of early testing, preventive measures, and treatment availability to curb the spread of HIV in the state.

Akintola reaffirmed the government’s dedication to providing resources and support for individuals living with HIV while intensifying public education efforts.

He said, “As at July 2024, over 151,876 patients have been tested in Osun state. About 1,307 tested positive have been put on treatment. About 18,493 pregnant women were tested and 41 were positive and they have been put on treatment.

“Osun has about 22 number of sites offering comprehensive HIV services where people get tested and receive medicine. We have estimated number of 33,882 people living with HIV in the state. We have been able to have continuous bi-monthly HIV steering committee meeting,” Akintola said.

He disclosed that the state government in collaboration with implementing partners has registered over 300 people living with HIV/AIDS in the state health insurance scheme free of charge, assuring that efforts are on to ensure that the state continue with the management of people living with HIV after the exit of development partners in 2030.

Wife of the governor, Ngozi Adeleke, appealed to the people of the state to join hands with her husband to ensure eradication of HIV/AIDS in the state, promising to support the fight against the syndrome.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Osun State Agency for the control of AIDS (OSACA), Olusegun Daramola, explained that the theme of this year celebration, “Take the Right Path,” was to remind people of collective responsibility to uphold human rights in the response to HIV/AIDS.

He commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for his commitment towards bringing health closer to the people and kicking AIDS out of the state.

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