512 fresh cases of HIV recorded in Borno IDP camps

Barkindo Saidu, executive secretary, Borno Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (BOSACA), says 512 new cases of HIV infections have been recorded in internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in the state.

He revealed this while briefing journalists in Maiduguri, the state capital, on Sunday.

Saidu said the cases were recorded after voluntary screening in the camps.

He pointed out that two out of the 512 persons were children.

“We are currently conducting voluntary screening on HIV/AIDS in IDPs’ camps across the state to determine the status of the people, especially those rescued from the Boko Haram terrorists,” he said.

“As at last week, we have recorded 512 positive cases, among which two are children.”

He said the state had witnessed rising cases of the disease due largely to the Boko Haram terrorism.

“Currently, 2.4 per cent of the population of the state are living with HIVand AIDS, which translates to 108,000 persons, going by the record of the National Population Commission,” Saidu said.

“But only a tiny portion of these people can access treatment because most anti retroviral centres have closed.”

He explained that only 32 out of the 90 anti retroviral centres were still operating in the state.