The Gombe state Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (GOMSACA) says homosexuals, those injecting drugs and commercial sex hawkers are at higher risk of contracting HIV/AIDs.
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Dr Surajo Abdulkarim, the Project Manager of the agency, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Monday.
He said recent survey conducted by the agency on the state population revealed that people likely to have HIV are homosexuals, those injecting drugs and commercial sex hawkers because of unprotected sex.
“Those that are into these practices are increasing daily and they are at higher risk,” he said.
Abdulkarim called on the state government to release the N160 million budgeted for the agency to enable them train staff and purchase needed commodities for improved advocacy against the scourge.
He noted that out of the amount earmarked for the agency, only N2 million was released.
“Releasing the fund would help us procure antiretroviral drugs and train the staff who would be attending to our clients.
“Support from the donor agencies is gradually fading, government needed to do something.
“Currently it is only 50 per cent of our clients who are receiving antiretroviral while 100 per cent are expected to have the ART,” he said.
Abdulkarim said 50 per cent of people in Gombe do not know their HIV status, adding that it is important to know and commence treatment on time.
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