The Executive Director, Nasarawa State Aids Control Agency (NASACA), Ruth Bello, says 22,000 persons infected with HIV/AIDs in the state are not on drugs.

“Presently 65,000 people are on HIV drugs, while 22,000 people infected with HIV are not on drugs in the state,” according to Ms Bello

The NASACA boss disclosed this on Friday in Lafia when she led other management team of the agency before the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Health to present the agency’s 2021 budget performance.

Advising residents of the state to always go for medical check up in order to know their health status, Ms Bello said the agency had been creating public awareness on the danger and prevention method of the virus to enable the citizens to remain healthy.

“We will continue to educate, create awareness and sensitise people of the state on the danger of HIV and its prevention in the interest of the health of the people and for the overall development of the state,” Ms Bello said.

Usman Shafa, chairman of the committee, said they would continue to support the activities of NASACA in order to tackle HIV/AIDs in the state.

Calling on the state government to provide NASACA with permanent office accommodation, Mr Shafa noted that supporting the activities of the agency would not only tackle the disease but would also improve the health status of the people of the state.

“We will continue to support your activities in order to take the agency to greater heights and to improve the health of our people,” he said.