Habu Dahiru, the Gombe State Commissioner for Health, says no fewer than 486,000 people were tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) from January till date, with about 43,000 living with the virus.

Mr Dahiru disclosed this in Gombe on Wednesday while addressing journalists as part of activities to mark World AIDS Day on December 1, with the theme “Equalise.”

According to him, 300,000 of the state’s general population and 186,000 pregnant women have been tested within the last 11 months.

The commissioner noted that Governor Inuwa Yahaya had prioritised the health sector, including HIV responses, by allocating additional funds, mainly to purchase testing kits, drugs for the treatment of opportunistic infections and laboratory reagents.

“HIV testing is the first step in receiving treatment. When a person with HIV is diagnosed early, they start treatment immediately; if they stick to it, they will achieve viral suppression, making them less likely to transmit the virus.

“This will significantly contribute to our state’s aim of eliminating AIDS by 2030. An estimated 43,000 people are living with HIV in the state,’’ he said.

Mr Dahiru further said that despite the giant strides recorded in the fight against the disease, there were still gaps that should be closed to reach the last mile.

“We noticed that the rate of new infections in the state is particularly high among young individuals between 15 and 24 years, with girls particularly vulnerable.

“Women, as a whole, remain disproportionately affected by HIV. The rate of mother-to-child transmission in the state is still unacceptably high,” he said.

The commissioner said that for Gombe to control the epidemic, the response should identify every person living with the virus and link and care for them.

He, therefore, advised residents to get tested for HIV because treatment was available and accessible.

(NAN)