432 children in Kwara infected with HIV in 6 months

The AIDS agency in Kwara state,  Nigeria reported that no fewer than 432 children are living with HIV. This disclosure was made by the coordinator of the agency, Dr. Seleem Alabi during an “AIDS awareness program” in the state.

Photo: South African kids born with HIV but are resistant to AIDS. Credit:TomoNews

The Kwara State Action Committee on AIDS (KWASACA) reported that it has so far recorded not less than 432 children infected with HIV/AIDS between January and June in the state. 

Dr. Seleem Alabi, coordinator KWASACA, disclosed this during the awareness program on AIDS organized by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Kwara Chapter in collaboration with KWASACA in Ilorin last week at the NUJ press centre. However, he said that the state government had put in place laws that imposed between N50,000 and 100,000 fine on anybody stigmatising people living with HIV and AIDS. 
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The awareness programme was organised to sensitise women journalists on the importance of regular screening on HIV and AIDS. 

The KWASACA coordinator during his presentation titled: “HIV/AIDS and Opportunistic Infection”, said that ,“The cases recorded in Kwara state were from mother-to-child transmission either at birth or through breastfeeding. When babies are exposed to infected blood or breast milk, they would be vulnerable to the condition. 

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“HIV is a virus that lives in human blood, sexual fluids, and breast milk. It weakens the immune system, so that the body will have a hard time fighting off common germs, viruses, fungi, and other invaders, he said. 

The coordinator also highlighted that the HIV infection would spread from person to person when certain body fluids were shared, usually during vaginal or anal sex, or when sharing drugs through injection. It could also be passed to the human body from infected needles, tattoos and body piercing.

Alabi emphasized that the virus could also be spread through oral sex, though the chances are slim. 

According to him, statistics had shown that about 35 million people were victims of HIV/AIDS worldwide while 3.3 million of them were Nigerians. 

“The recent advances in anti-retroviral therapy had made it possible for people with HIV to live longer and healthier lives, he pointed out.  

Alabi said with HIV, a weakened immune system would increase vulnerability to a number of opportunistic infections, cancers, and other conditions. The public could prevent HIV and AIDS transmission by avoiding the sharing of sharp objects such as razor blades, used needles and syringes. 

Alabi also explained the 90/90/90 target to end HIV/AIDS by 2030. He said that it meant: “90 percent will be on anti-retroviral therapy, 90 percent will get tested, and 90 percent are zero HIV and AIDS infection in the society.”