About 30,000 people living with HIV/AIDS on Monday have received free treatment from the Kano State.
The recipient got the treatment as part of events commemorating 2024 World AIDS Day with the Theme: Take the Right Path: My Health, My Right.
Speaking at an interactive session with the media in the Kano metropolis, the commissioner of Health, Abubakar Yusuf, applauds Governor Abba Yusuf’s efforts in its commitment to ensuring that everyone has adequate access to quality healthcare services without discrimination in the state.
The commissioner addressed the disparities that impede the fight against AIDS, believing that the pre-marital screening law and anti-discrimination executive law, which Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf signed into law, will significantly contribute to the state’s HIV eradication.
“The pre-marital law signed in by the governor includes screening for HIV, sickle cell genotype, hepatitis B, and other ancillary investigations,” he said.
“This is one of the most effective ways to put an end to HIV as the screening exercise is strictly supervised by the religious leaders at ward levels, before any couple is allowed to get married they must provide their medical report to their Imams to ascertain their status.”
He added that in line with World AIDS Day 2024, healthcare and enrollment funding HIV testing and treatment is of priority in this administration.
“In line with this year’s World AIDS Day objectives, we have enrolled over 6000 orphans and vulnerable children, and 2,200 people living with HIV, under our state contributory healthcare scheme to ensure they have access to healthcare services without out-of-pocket expenses. These were covered by the Kano State Healthcare Management Agency, another 2,500 are been enrolled.
“We have allocated 3% of our total state health budget. Approximately two billion naira to Kano SACA. From the previous 300 million budgeted in 2023 for HIV initiatives, additionally, around N124 million has been approved.
“The release of these funds will enable us to reach more people affected by HIV/AIDS with quality services”.
He gave the data on HIV testing and treatment in Kano, showing progress made.
“So far this year, we have conducted HIV testing for 326,831 people identifying 4,374 positives and initiating all the 4274 new HIV infected persons on ART. Currently, 32,684 people living with HIV are receiving treatment in the state.”
The Commissioner is calling on all stakeholders in the state to join in the fight as Kano State renews its commitment with this year’s World AIDS Day theme to take the right path and keep up with advocacy.
