The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has revealed that Nasarawa State currently has an HIV prevalence rate of 2.0 per cent, with an estimated 23,306 residents living with the virus and requiring treatment.
The disclosure was made on Monday by the AHF State Coordinator, Dr Emmanuel Bichi, during a sensitisation campaign, roadshow, and health talk in Keffi to mark the 2025 World AIDS Day.
World AIDS Day, commemorated every December 1, aims to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, promote global solidarity, and evaluate progress in efforts to end the epidemic.
Bichi described the sensitisation efforts as crucial to combating HIV/AIDS, noting that AHF and the state government are working closely to address persistent challenges.
“The commemoration is aimed at promoting awareness, prevention, testing, and care, while also showing solidarity with those impacted by HIV/AIDS in the community and beyond,” he said.
“Nasarawa State has a prevalence rate of 2.0 per cent, with an estimated 23,306 people living with HIV requiring treatment. AHF and the state government are working closely to address various HIV/AIDS challenges.”
Also speaking, the AHF Medical Director, Dr Emmanuel Nwabueze, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to intensifying daily campaigns to achieve the elimination of HIV/AIDS by 2030.
Nwabueze highlighted AHF’s deliberate focus on STI treatment and general wellness, noting that the foundation is establishing a wellness centre in Nasarawa State, similar to those in Benue and Abuja.
“AHF is determined to provide seamless and accessible STI services to the people. We are also working on establishing a wellness centre in Nasarawa State,” he said.
He added that the foundation would provide free condom education and distribution to the public as part of its prevention strategy.
For his part, AHF Nigeria’s Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Steve Aborisade, emphasised that the organisation will continue collaborating with relevant stakeholders including young people to tackle STIs and strengthen HIV prevention.
“As an organisation, we will partner with young people and other stakeholders to address the various challenges facing us,” he said.
The Director of Primary Health Care in Keffi, Dogara Dajuma, also stressed the importance of sustained collaboration, noting that PHC units are intensifying campaigns across communities to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS.
