Over 18,050 persons, including 795 children has been infected with HIV/AIDS in Borno state.
The Executive Secretary of Borno State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (BOSACA), Hajiya Falmata Alhaji-Bukar, said they are currently receiving treatment.
Falmata who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Maiduguri noted that the pandemic was on the increase in Borno.
BOSACA Secretary added that the agency would increase sensitisation on the pandemic, particularly in rural areas, in line with this year’s theme: “Let Communities Lead”.
She further stated that residents in towns were more enlightened on what to do regarding HIV/AIDS, unlike those in rural communities.
“That’s why after today’s programme to mark the day in Maiduguri, we will proceed to Mafa LGA for an enlightenment programme.
“We have also mobilised our Local Action Committee on AIDs (LACA) to do more at grassroots level,” Alhaji-Bukar said.
In order to combat the pandemic, she emphasized that people must know their status.
Agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and some partners, had arrangements in place to immediately link any positive person to treatment.
