92,000 Enugu residents live with HIV, says agency

IN Enugu State, more than 92,000 persons are officially living with the Human Immune-Deficiency Virus (HIV), the state Action Committee on HIV/AIDS (ENSACA) has said.

At a seminar to sensitize members of the Allied Business Community in Nsukka on how to avoid being infected with the disease at the weekend, ENSACA Private Sector Officer, Mrs. Patricia Ugwu, stated that the disease had become rampant due to failure of residents to be cautious.

Although she declined to give a detailed breakdown of the figure, she advised the participants to be faithful to their sex partners to avoid contracting HIV.

“Remember HIV does not show in one’s face; about 92,000 people are already infected in Enugu State. If you cannot stick to one partner, ensure that you use condom when having sexual intercourse with another person,” she said.

Ugwu urged those who have the virus not to panic but should join the support group where they would access HIV/AIDS drugs easily. 

“If you are already positive, do not kill yourself as government has procured enough drugs to designated hospitals to carter for those living with the virus.

“Through medical attention and counseling, infected mothers will be able to deliver babies that are negative. Do not stigmatize anybody living with the virus as that is an offence punishable by law,” she said. 

While giving the participants safety tips, she said: “It is better to prevent HIV than managing it. Do not share any sharp object with anybody.” 

Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of Nsukka Allied Business Community Mr. Augustine Okeagu thanked the ENSACA team for finding time as well as deeming it necessary to come to educate members on HIV.

He stressed that it was a clear demonstration of the government’s love and concern for the allied members. .

“I assure the government that allied members will continue to be law-abiding. We also urge other agencies of government to replicate what ENSACA has done for us,” he pleaded.

Highlight of the seminar was free HIV test on interested members of the business community by the ENSACA team.