From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi
The Executive Secretary, Bauchi state agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria, BACATMA, Dr. Abdulaziz Manga, has disclosed that 3m people are being targeted for free HIV/AIDS testing and counseling in the state.
He was speaking at a forum organised by the Senator A.D Rufai Foundation, in Bauchi state yesterday.
Represented by the director HIV/AIDS control in the agency, Mallam Yakubu Usman Abubakar, Manga said that the exercise which is to be supported by the federal government HIV/AIDS comprehensive response plan is to be carried out within two years in 12 HIV/AIDS prone states and the FCT.
According to him, “the project is a federal government initiative to reduce the prevalence of the disease in 12 states, including the FCT by ensuring that people have access to prevention, treatment and care”
He disclosed that the federal government expended the sum of N260m for the smooth conduct of the exercise, and pointed out that more centres for free testing and counseling would be established to meet the estimated target for the state.
