The United Nation Children Fund (UNICEF) said it has expended about two hundred million naira (N200, 000, 000) in its effort towards addressing cases of HIV/AIDs among adolescents in Kaduna State.The UNICEF in-charge of Kaduna Field Office made the disclosure in Zaria at a forum with media executives in the state, adding that “HIV in adolescents remains a big concern; seven LGAs have higher prevalence of HIV among adolescents in the state.’’
According to him, only seven per cent of the adolescents surveyed at the beginning of the intervention programme in March had tested and received their HIV result.
He explained that the support being offered by UNICEF was on HIV prevention, treatment and care in the seven local areas.
The official disclosed that UNICEF had budgeted about N200 million and spent about same to run the Adolescent and Young Persons (AYP) programme in Chikun, Igabi, Lere, Kagarko, Birnin Gwari, Jaba and Jema’a local government areas of the state.
He noted that in spite of the decrease in new HIV infections in the areas due to improved access to information, the rate of death among infected adolescents remain high.
Dr Baba therefore called on all and sundry to avail themselves to HIV testing to know status.
Source:Leadership
