The rate of HIV cases has dropped to an all time low of 1.14 per cent in Abuja, which was once one of 13 high risk states in the country.
The Institute for Human Virology (IHVN) tested 16,730 people in the capital’s six council areas last week in a four-day mass testing exercise to mark World AIDS, and only 190 tested positive. This places the capital below the national average in terms of HIV rates for the first time in many years.
Experts at IHVN, which is funded by the Global Fund, are cautiously optimistic about the decline and await further analysis of field data of more than 500, 000 tested nationwide before making a final judgment.
Dr Eno Usoroh, IHVN's Programme Coordinator said "We need to be careful before we draw a conclusion, but it is heartening that we are testing people and many of them are coming out negative.”
Parents and toddlers were amongst those tested across the FCT, with a huge turnout recorded in outskirts communities like Kabusa, Pyakasa and Kuchigoro which attests to a growing awareness about the virus.
Field workers said that some of the 190 people who tested positive already knew their status but wanted to reconfirm following prayers for healing.
The Institute for Human Virology (IHVN) tested 16,730 people in the capital’s six council areas last week in a four-day mass testing exercise to mark World AIDS, and only 190 tested positive. This places the capital below the national average in terms of HIV rates for the first time in many years.
Experts at IHVN, which is funded by the Global Fund, are cautiously optimistic about the decline and await further analysis of field data of more than 500, 000 tested nationwide before making a final judgment.
Dr Eno Usoroh, IHVN's Programme Coordinator said "We need to be careful before we draw a conclusion, but it is heartening that we are testing people and many of them are coming out negative.”
Parents and toddlers were amongst those tested across the FCT, with a huge turnout recorded in outskirts communities like Kabusa, Pyakasa and Kuchigoro which attests to a growing awareness about the virus.
Field workers said that some of the 190 people who tested positive already knew their status but wanted to reconfirm following prayers for healing.
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