By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Towards effective control to end the spread of HIV in Akwa Ibom State, government has begun the Nigeria State-level Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) Impact Survey across the 31 local government areas of the state.
Briefing journalists on Friday in Uyo, Health Commissioner in the state, Prof. Augustine Umoh said the exercise would last between August and September ending this year.
Umoh explained further that the survey was supported by the federal government and the international partners such as, United States President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Public Health Information Surveillance Solution Systems (PHIS3) among others
He added that the survey was aimed at ascertaining how well HIV programmes are working in the state with the view of improving the wellbeing of the people.
He hinted that the exercise targets 3000 households during which approximately 5,346 persons between the ages of 15-64 will be interviewed and test conducted to determine the proportion of individuals living with HIV that are receiving lifesaving ART.
It would also assist to ascertain the percentage of those already on HIV treatment whose viral load has been suppressed such that they can’t transmit the virus to other persons.
The Commissioner explained that the data collected from the survey would inform health policies and strategies to enhance HIV testing, treatment and care services in the state.
He further explained that the survey will help in identifying systemic challenges and opportunities for strengthening health systems for better support of individuals living with HIV, saying that, the goal of the exercise was to control and end the HIV disease in Akwa Ibom State
His words, “The survey will help us understand bio behavioural patterns and factors associated with HIV virus suppression in people living with HIV who are on ART to strengthen support services.”
The Commissioner, therefore, urged residents of Akwa Ibom to ensure the success of the exercise by availing the visiting teams the necessary information and opportunity to carry out HIV tests.
