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World Aids Day: Everybody counts as Kano State seeks bill to make HIV test compulsory

The Kano State Government has said it is proposing a bill on compulsory HIV/AIDS testing for all new couples in the state.

This was made known by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Kabiru Getso, at a conference to commemorate World HIV/AIDS day in Kano.

Dr Getso said the Ganduje administration is putting health as a priority in the state adding that the government in collaboration with the state Hisbal board has proposed a bill, which was awaiting passage at the State House of Assembly.

He explained that the state government has recorded progress and achievement in the control of HIV/AIDS in the state since the establishment of the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA).

He added that the government would continue to render support to persons living with HIV/AIDS and would also continue to create awareness on the prevention of the virus.

The World Health Organisation has advocated for easy access to safe, effective, quality and affordable drugs and diagnostic and other health commodities for all people in need.

HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 35 million lives so far. In 2016, 1.0 million people died from HIV-related causes globally.

There were approximately 36.7 million people living with HIV at the end of 2016 with 1.8 million people becoming newly infected in 2016 globally.

54% of adults and 43% of children living with HIV are currently receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Global ART coverage for pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV is high at 76%.

WHO says is the most affected region, with 25.6 million people living with HIV in 2016. The African region also accounts for almost two thirds of the global total of new HIV infections.

HIV infection is often diagnosed through rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), which detect the presence or absence of HIV antibodies. Most often these tests provide same-day test results, which are essential for same day diagnosis and early treatment and care.

Key populations are groups who are at increased risk of HIV irrespective of epidemic type or local context. They include: men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, people in prisons and other closed settings, sex workers and their clients, and transgender people.

Key populations often have legal and social issues related to their behaviours that increase vulnerability to HIV and reduce access to testing and treatment programmes.

In 2015, an estimated 44% of new infections occurred among key populations and their partners.

There is no cure for HIV infection. However, effective antiretroviral (ARV) drugs can control the virus and help prevent transmission so that people with HIV, and those at substantial risk, can enjoy healthy, long and productive lives.

It is estimated that currently only 70% of people with HIV know their status. To reach the target of 90%, an additional 7.5 million people need to access HIV testing services. In mid-2017, 20.9 million people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) globally.

Between 2000 and 2016, new HIV infections fell by 39%, and HIV-related deaths fell by one third with 13.1 million lives saved due to ART in the same period. This achievement was the result of great efforts by national HIV programmes supported by civil society and a range of development partners.

No cure but treatable

Although the disease has no known cure, however, HIV can be suppressed by combination ART consisting of 3 or more ARV drugs. ART does not cure HIV infection but suppresses viral replication within a person’s body and allows an individual’s immune system to strengthen and regain the capacity to fight off infections.

In 2016, WHO released the second edition of the consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection. These guidelines recommend providing lifelong ART to all people living with HIV, including children, adolescents and adults, pregnant and breastfeeding women, regardless of clinical status or CD4 cell count. By July 2017, 122 countries already have adopted this recommendation by mid-2017, which covers more than 90% of all PLHIV globally.

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