Only 10% Nigerians have ‘undergone HIV screening’

The National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA) says only about 10 per cent of Nigerians have ever gone for HIV screening.

Sani Aliyu, the director-general of the agency, said this in a statement.

Aliyu lamented over the situation, saying screening is the only way to HIV prevention, especially with the high rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Nigeria.

He urged all pregnant women to get tested for the virus in order to stop mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the country.

“If we must win the battle, the percentage of Nigerians that test for HIV must move from the current statistics to at least 90 per cent,” Aliyu said.

“I want all Nigerians to take deliberate and bold steps to know their HIV status.”