HealthNewsNigeriaWellnessUpdate -The Untold Story: COVID-19 Hampers Fight Against HIV As 50 Persons Are Infected Weekly in Adamawa

As COVID-19 swept, Farah James, watched with alarm as some of the HIV positive patients she helped in the rural Adamawa stopped showing up for lab tests and doctor’s visits.

The state Coordinator of Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS, Farah James had to squeeze the little she had to reach the vulnerable targets in the rural and other urban communities outside Yola, the state capital.

Amid the pandemic, some fell back into drug and alcohol abuse. Others feared the AIDS virus made them more vulnerable to the coronavirus and refused to leave their homes.

Around the same time, James’s HIV organization- Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS, NEPWHAN in Adamawa, stopped sending staff to health fairs and other sites to help people with HIV.

“The virus has made it very challenging for us,” said James. “We just continue to let people know we’re here, and we’re trying our best to take care of their needs.”

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted a lot of health care services in many parts of the world and the fight against HIV has not been spared.  In some areas. Clinics have stopped or limited testing for the disease, and public health officials overwhelmed by demands to control COVID-19 have shifted staff away from tracking HIV patients.

In some states, progress against the virus had already stalled in recent years. Now, health experts and advocates worry the country is at risk of backsliding, with a spike in new HIV infections,’’ because people don’t know they have the disease, aren’t aware if their treatment is working or aren’t getting a drug that can prevent them from getting HIV in the first place.

“We’re losing people who are doing HIV testing and focusing on HIV to the COVID-19 response.

“And that means that we’re not able to support people to maintain the care that they deserve,” ” said a medical personnel with Numan General Hospital.

The issue is of particular concern in Adamawa, which accounted for more than 33,000 people living with HIV/AIDS. Fewer people in the state are aware that they have HIV compared with other regions in Nigeria.

Farah James, who is now an aide to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri on HIV/AIDS matters, said about 33,000 people in the state are accessing HIV/AIDS treatment but regretted that  adults and children were still being infected rather quietly across Adamawa State.

She said, “I can say as a fact that at least 33,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Adamawa State. This is the number of people accessing treatment. I am sure a lot of others are affected whose status is unknown. Only a few people are agreeing to be tested voluntarily. This is because many people who are already exposed are afraid to go for voluntary testing because of the likelihood of being confirmed to be positive.

“Rate of infection is still high. On a weekly basis, about 50 people test positive to HIV in Adamawa State.

“While about  30 are feared affected daily.

“We get to know this through pre-wedding testing as well as tests carried out on patients in Hospitals. If you go to a hospital for an ailment, the doctor may recommend HIV testing depending on your symptoms. We as an organisation get to know because we communicate with the relevant institutions.”

For Magret Daniel a mother of seven was emphatic that , ‘’ Learning that you are HIV-positive can be one of the most difficult experiences you go through in life.

‘’ You may feel scared, sad or even angry – this is OK, and a completely natural part of coping with something that can be life changing.

‘’ After counselling and encouragement I got from health personnel, relatives and my husband today  I am strong and keep life going!

‘’ By the grace of God, I have seven children today and only one is living with HIV/AIDS.

‘’ I want people to know that HIV doesn’t have to stop you living a long, happy and fulfilling life. With the right treatment and support, it is possible to live as long as the average person, ‘’ she noted.

Over 1,000 Dies –ADSACA

It’s so disturbing and alarming that there is a rise in the number of deaths as figures available to the State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS – ADSACA, indicates that over 1,000 people living with HIV/AIDS died in the last two ye

Dr Chubado Abubakar, the executive secretary of the agency, ADSACA, while fielding questions from newsmen stated that, ‘’officially, there are about 33,000 people in the state who are accessing HIV/AIDS treatment.

‘’In the last two years over 1,000 died and that’s why we thronged today to commemorate World HIV/ AIDS Day.

‘’ Beside the other scheduled work and programs of the agency, a variety of activities are being done on the day of World Aids day celebration to increase the awareness and distribute the message of the theme of particular year.

‘’It is very necessary to increase the awareness among people as they are the main target of the program.

‘’ A candlelight vigil is held  at the public park or the nearest agency where singers, musicians, dancers, poets, story tellers and etc could distribute the message of Aids prevention through entertaining performances.

‘’ As you can see today, religious leaders are encouraged to speak,’’ said he.