Dr. Terfa Kene
The Federal Government says it will begin the implementation of HIV/AIDS survey in Kogi State.
As stated by reports, the survey will start off in the next seven weeks through its HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS).
Member of NAIIS Technical Committee and Team Lead, Dr. Terfa Kene, disclosed this at a meeting with the relevant stakeholders held on Friday in Lokoja.
“We are in Kogi to create awareness about the survey we are conducting in the next seven weeks to know the current situation of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis in the state.
“We want to be sure of where we are, but what is certain is that people are no longer dying of HIV/AIDS like before because drugs are available.
“We need to know the exact situation of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria so that we can plan appropriately and get people to access the services we have within the state,” Kene said.
he also stated that the survey would be population based to interview some selected households and talk to them, take their blood samples to confirm their HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis status.
He, therefore, urged people, media, religious and traditional leaders, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and relevant stakeholders to create adequate awareness,adding that the implementation would begin in seven weeks’ time.
“We are hopeful the survey will be a successful outing in Kogi,” Kene said.