Ruptly
"Nigeria is expanding a community-based approach to HIV/AIDS care that is improving access to testing and treatment, as healthcare workers bring services directly to residents, helping reduce stigma and ease pressure on overstretched health facilities. Footage captured on Wednesday shows healthcare workers in Jos collecting blood samples for HIV testing, as vaccines and preventive treatments are administered. "It has been positively impacting the lives of those who are already affected or those that are taking preventive medications," said Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, Commissioner for Health in Plateaus state. In Plateau State, local health authorities say the model is enabling more people to access care closer to home, particularly in underserved communities where distance and social stigma have long been barriers. "In terms of drug administration procurement Global Funds has been of great help through the Federal Ministry of Health in keeping the supply on," Ba’amlong said. Health workers say the approach is helping identify new cases earlier while supporting prevention efforts among at-risk groups. "We can now enroll them for these preventive drugs. We give them the PrEP, that's the pre-exposure prophylaxis, then we give them for a month first, then after we test them again," said Dorathy Ishaya, a nurse. For patients, improved access to care is also helping address the emotional and social challenges linked to the disease. "When I discovered that she (wife) and I have contracted HIV/Aids, I felt bad for her, not for myself. Because me, no matter what it is, I feel like I can handle it," said Mishek Sunday, a HIV patient. Nigeria has an estimated 1.9 to over 2 million people living with HIV, with a national adult prevalence of about 1.3% among those aged 15-49. Recent data shows progress in treatment access but ongoing challenges amid new infections and viral suppression gaps."
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