‘Nearly 30,000 residents infected’ — Osun launches HIV treatment initiative

The Osun government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has launched a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment surge initiative.

The HIV treatment surge initiative is in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC).

Speaking on Friday during the launch of the initiative, Mary Boyd, U.S. CDC country director, said there was a need for increased innovative strategies and partnerships to improve the number of HIV patients receiving antiretroviral treatment.

“A lot of hard work will be needed to reach the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goal (having 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those people on antiretrovirals (ART), and 95% of those on ART reaching viral suppression), but with the support of the government of Osun, communities, and partners, I have no doubt this surge will propel the state to ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat and thereby save many lives,” Boyd said.

Osun state is said to have about 30,000 people living with HIV, while 13,500 have not been identified or placed on treatment.

The initiative is aimed at achieving a high number of people on treatment and curtailing the transmission of the disease, particularly, from mothers to their babies.

Will Stevens, U.S. consul general, while speaking with Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, said people living with HIV should be able to access treatment services across the state.

“We must ensure we reach the most vulnerable populations, like women, adolescents, and children, with testing and treatment. We must also ensure equitable access to care for key and hard-reach populations,” Stevens said.

The HIV treatment surge initiative is said to have identified and admitted thousands of people to life-saving treatment across the state.