ABOUT 94,141 pregnant women in Zamfara State have been diagnosed with HIV/Aids according to the United States Agency for International Aids (Usaid) which has been investigating sexually transmitted diseases in the state.
Usaid currently funds a health programme in Zamfara State through Management Services for Health Organisation, a scheme operated under its Prevention and Organisational Systems-AIDS Care and Treatment plan. Aminu Sarki, the project's team leader, spoke about a seven-year treatment and support rolling plan for those living with HIV in Zamfara State in Gusau yesterday.
He said more than 500 women living with HIV received anti-retroviral drugs in the state during the period. According to Mr Sarki, 4,436 persons living with HIV in the state were cared for by his organisation.
In addition, he explained that the project was aimed at strengthening the capacity of Nigeria's public, private and community sectors for sustainable HIV/Aids and tuberculosis prevention, control, care and treatment within the health system. He said his organisation had succeeded in providing services at four comprehensive care and treatment sites as well as trained health personnel in 19 management sciences for health-supported facilities in injection, safety and waste management.
According to Mr Sarki, as the project was winding up in the state by November, there was need for the state government to takeover and continue in order to eliminate HIV. While applauding the services rendered by the organisation, the secretary to the state government Professor Abdullahi Shinkafi, assured that the state government would soon study and takeover in order to sustain the programme.
This Usaid project was carried out in the five states of Niger, Kwara, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara. Yesterday, the highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the programme's participants.
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