Assembly Lauds Decline In HIV/AIDS Prevalence Rate In A/Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Health, has expressed delight at the reduction in the rate of prevalence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), amongst the population.

LEADERSHIP recalls the state had some years ago ranked highest, occupying the number one spot on the ladder of States with most HIV/AIDS Prevalence, but with intense fight by different relevant agencies of government, the State has dropped below the pack and further moved down the ladder.

According to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, “The general decline of HIV prevalence in Akwa Ibom State from 4.8 per cent in 2018, to 4.3 per cent in 2024, was as indication of an improved state of control and management of the epidemic.”

The improvement on HIV/AIDS report in Akwa Ibom State, it was learnt, followed, the impact survey Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) survey in the state, by agencies and partners in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

The chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon Moses Essien (Ibiono Ibom), who spoke through a member of the Committee, Hon Lawrence Udoide (Ini), shortly after the dissemination event held at Four Points by Sheraton, Ikot Ekpene, noted that that “the report revealed improvement in not only the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS in the State, but the improved provision of Anti-Retroviral treatment to persons confirmed positive with the virus.”

He, therefore, commended relevant agencies “for significant work done to increase testing, public awareness and management of HIV/AIDS cases in the state.”

According to him, with the ART impact report in place, “the state government will be properly guided on policies and programmes relating to the health sector and HIV/AIDS specifically.”

The ART Impact Survey Lead, Dr. Obong Okon, explained that the survey covered 5,094 participants between the ages of 15 and 64, revealing an estimated HIV prevalence rate among adults at 4.3 percent; 6.4 per cent among women as well as 2.2 per cent among men, while viral load suppression has been significantly improved.