At least 101 tested HIV positive in Nigeria Lagos

• Source: Xinhua
• [19:32 November 06 2009]
• Comments

At least 101 out of 5,449 people screened for HIV in 31 local government areas in the Lagos state tested positive, the News Agency of Nigeria reported on Friday, citing a top government official.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola said this on Thursday at the ongoing three-day mini- medical mission programs held in Oshodi, Isolo and Ejigbo areas of the state.

"Out of the 5,449 people screened for HIV virus in 31 local governments, 101 of them were found to be positive," he said,"Less than 50 percent of the affected people were not aware of their status," the governor said.
He added that 106,000 people had also benefited from the state' s free medical consultation and received treatment at the primary health care centers established in the local government areas since he assumed office.

"Out of the number, 9,373 people received free eye glasses, 5,425 were found to be hypertensive, while 1,442 who had diabetes were also treated free," he said.

Fashola said the health care and the welfare of the residents of the state was a priority to his administration, hence the resuscitation of the primary health care centers in all the local governments and local council development areas.

The governor enjoined the residents to always visit the centers instead of patronizing quacks or resorting to self-medication, which was injurious to their health and life.

Fashola said the benefit of the program was that it created an opportunity for routine medical check-ups, especially for those who could not afford such services.