Kaduna Records 307 New HIV/AIDS Cases in Three Months

Dr. Nuhu Butawa from the Kaduna State Aids Control Agency (KADSACA) said on Friday that they found 307 new cases of HIV in the state.

He shared this during a talk at a workshop for journalists organized by ‘Wave Makers for Health and Youth Empowerment’ in Kaduna.

Dr. Butawa mentioned that these new cases, found from January to March, are worrying for the government. He explained that the rate of HIV in the state is 1.1 percent, and they will pay special attention to certain groups of people.

Dr. Butawa expressed concern about the increase in new HIV cases both in Kaduna and around the world. He said their goal is to get rid of HIV by 2030, but with these new cases, there’s a lot more work to do.

The state has also started treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and Dr. Butawa encourages people to get treatment if they test positive for any STIs.

Ikeokwu Bennett-Nduka, who leads the NGO, said the workshop was meant to help journalists understand issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

The aim is to give accurate information, clear up wrong ideas, and understand the challenges that minority people face. Bennett-Nduka talked about how cultural and religious beliefs can stop marginalized people from getting their rights.

He said traditional values might limit their freedom and access to information and overall well-being. Bennett-Nduka also mentioned that marginalized people often face discrimination in healthcare.

Negative behavior from healthcare workers can make them feel unwelcome, which stops them from getting medical help because of stigma and discrimination.