The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, says Nigeria has moved to the fourth position among countries worst hit by the HIV epidemic. With an earlier estimate of about 3.2 million people living with HIV, Nigeria was ranked second after South Africa which ranks first with about 7.1 million people living with HIV.
Speaking during a press briefing held after the announcement of the Nigeria HIV/AIDs Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) result on Thursday, Mr Adewole said Nigeria has now moved to the fourth position after South Africa, India and Mozambique following the findings of the survey.
The result of the survey shows that about 1.9 million Nigerians are currently living with HIV, a figure which is lower than the previous estimate. In his keynote address, Mr Adewole said the NAIIS findings provide Nigeria with an accurate national HIV prevalence measure of 1.4 per cent.
Mr Adewole said everyone infected with HIV needs to get treatment so they can achieve viral suppression, especially pregnant women. While unveiling the survey results, President Muhammadu Buhari said the goal to end AIDs in Nigeria by 2030 is still feasible.
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