Research has it that five out of every 100 people in Lagos is living with HIV and AIDS, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) stated this yesterday on a recent interview.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tokunbo Dabiri, explained that the high ratio is not unconnected to the large population of the state.
She spoke at the World AIDS Day programme in Lagos organised by LSACA.
It has as theme ‘Focus, partner, achieve: an AIDS free generation.’
Describing Lagos State as cosmopolitan, Dabiri added that it its also the melting pot accounting for about 21 million inhabitants. “This is why the disease is common in the state,” she noted.
She urged residents, who have not been tested to do so to confirm their status, adding: “The statistics the state is presently working with is 5.1 per cent. It can be more if we all know our status. The national figure, however, is 3.4 per cent.”
Besides, she said the high prevalence rate has made the state government to collaborate with neighbouring Ogun and Oyo states on counselling and testing for HIV and AIDS at the borders in order to reduce the disease burden.
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