Lagos seeks to end HIV transmission by 2030

The Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, Dr. Oluseyi Temowo, says that the state government targets to end the transmission of HIV/AIDS by 2030.

Temowo, who spoke at a forum organised by LSACA in Lagos, said the state was not looking back in its resolve to achieve the 90-90-90 global targets.

According to the United Nations 90-90-90 initiative on HIV, by 2020, 90 per cent of people living with HIV will know their status;  90 per cent  of people diagnosed with the viral infection will receive antiretroviral therapy while  90 per cent  of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

To achieve this, Temowo said there was the need for accurate data on the burden of HIV/AIDs in the state to ensure that proper programmes and logistics.

He said, “We need accurate date to truly know the burden of HIV/AIDS in Lagos. Lack of statistics and up-to-date data has consequences on many prevention and control programmes. We need it to also plan for services offered in many of the facilities in the state.”

The LSACA boss, who urged stakeholders in the private sector to commit resources to the agency’s initiatives, added that the state might grant tax rebate to organisations supporting HIV/AIDS prevention and control programmes.

“Everyone must realise that HIV has great impact on the economy of a state like Lagos, which is the commercial hub of the country. If a CEO is down with illnesses associated with being HIV positive and the company closes down, the employees will be out of work and the state ‘s Gross Domestic Product will drop,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Director of Programmes at the Initiative For Equal Right, Michael Akanji, has urged the state government to institute a non-disclosure policy for health workers at its treatment centres to ensure non-stigmatisation of  HIV patients.

Akanji said the policy would protect the integrity of those in the sexual minority who were often discriminated against in hospitals.

PUNCH.