No fewer than 18,059 people, including 795 children infected with HIV/AIDS, are receiving treatment in Borno.

The executive secretary of Borno State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (BOSACA), Falmata Alhaji-Bukar, said on Friday in Maiduguri.

Ms Alhaji-Bukar said the pandemic was increasing in Borno, adding that the agency would increase sensitisation on the pandemic.

According to her, residents in towns were more enlightened on what to do regarding HIV/AIDS, unlike those in rural communities.

“That’s why after today’s programme to mark the day in Maiduguri, we will proceed to Mafa LGA for an enlightenment programme. We have also mobilised our Local Action Committee on AIDs (LACA) to do more at the grassroots level,” Ms Alhaji-Bukar explained.

She stressed the need for people to know their status as a vital step in fighting the pandemic.

According to her, in collaboration with the health ministry and some partners, the agency had arrangements to link any positive person to treatment immediately.

The executive secretary listed insecurity in some areas affected by insurgency and shortage of staff as some of the major challenges facing the campaign against HIV/AIDs in Borno.

“We hope the ministry will do something about employing more staff,” stated Ms Alhaji-Bukar.

Mamman Musa, an individual living with HIV/AIDS in Borno, called for more support and funding for the campaign.

He urged the government to support them with office to enable them to contribute to the campaign and other related issues effectively.

“We also need an ambulance to be carrying some of our members that cannot walk to assess treatment due to side effects of some drugs,” said Mr Musa.

(NAN)