The Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter led by the state Coordinator, Mr. Benjamin David Angboson,had on Monday, December 1, 2014, lashed the government for allegedly neglecting the welfare of the members of the state .
The group noted that Kaduna State was having prevalence level of 9.2 per cent from initial 4.2 per cent, indicating that over 600,000 people are living with the virus in the state according to the National Agency for Control of AIDS,NACA report in 2012.
The group according to reports added that failure of the state government to rise and respond to this call within reasonable time, would increase the number of affected persons at geometric rate which may not be good for the economy and socio-political status of the state.
While decrying the condition of his members, Angboson said, “Kaduna State was having prevalence of 9.2 per cent from initial 4.2 per cent, indicating that over 600,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Kaduna State, according to NACA 2012 reports.”
He further revealed that it costs the people living with the virus are now spending between N8,000 and N8,500 to obtain the drugs personally.
The concerned coordinator further said, “Imagine someone who is not working and has been struggling on how to get what to eat and now has to combine the money for the Retro Viral Drugs. That shows such a fellow will go into dubious business include prostitution and the virus will continue to increase at geometric rate.
“We are also looking at the area of skill acquisition programme to equip people. We learn that the state governor has been training people under SURE-P and applied. Since then, four months now, our own has not been approved.”
