Kebbi Government says it will continue to provide free antiretroviral therapy to the 30,207 persons living with HIV in the state.
The government appealed to others who might have contracted the disease not to be ashamed of seeking treatment.
The state Commissioner for Health, Yunusa Isma’ila made the remark at a news briefing in Birnin Kebbi on the occasion of the International World AIDS Day.
Yunusa described the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Stop HIV Among Children,’ as apt as it is tailored towards preventing the virus from afflicting children.
He reassured those living with the virus of government’s commitment to their care, saying their collective efforts in fighting the disease have yielded positive results.
He also said the administration is determined to reduce stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV.
Stakeholders, comprising health professionals, government officials, and volunteers staged a road walk along the major streets in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, to create awareness among the people, stressing that HIV is still around and necessary action must be taken to surmount the scourge.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
