14 Boko Haram displaced persons TEST positive for HIV/AIDs in Yobe

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS on Thursday confirmed that 14 Internally Displaced Persons tested positive out of 2,109 screened for HIV/AIDS in Yobe State.

Dr. Aminu Fikin, NACA Project Coordinator in Yobe State, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Nguru area of the tate.

Fikin said that 759 people in Nguru, 850 in Jakusko, 400 in Gashua, 400 in Yusufari and 250 in Jajimaji Local Government Areas were tested for the virus.

He said 10 people in Nguru and four in Gashua tested positive and were referred for Anti-Retroviral Therapy at the Federal Medical Centre, Nguru.

He said: “The IDPs are from Baga, Malum Fatori and Askira Local Government Areas in Borno; Michika, Uba and Mubi in Adamawa, and Buni Yadi, Damaturu and Geidam in Yobe State.”

The IDPs were displaced as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency in the three North East states of Nigeria.

Fikin said the exercise was to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS virus among the IDPs and their host communities.

The project coordinator said 6,000 IDPs were targeted for the exercise.

He appealed to all new arrivals to avail themselves for the screening to ensure the success of the exercise.

“NACA has provided all needed kits to ensure that every IDP is screened to establish his or her status to prevent the spread of the virus and we appreciate the cooperation of the displaced persons,” said Fikin.