Key Points
- Lagos says about 160,000 residents are living with HIV. 147,466 people are on antiretroviral treatment this year.
- Testing numbers fell to only 28.9 per cent this year. LSACA links the drop to outreach interruptions and funding issues.
- State campaign has tested nearly 10,000 residents since November. Those who tested positive were linked quickly to care.
Dr Folakemi Animashaun said about 160,000 Lagos residents live with HIV. She spoke at a World AIDS Day press conference in Lagos.
She said 147,466 people are on antiretroviral treatment this year. She added that testing fell to 28.9 per cent after outreach stopped.
The state began a community testing campaign on November 18. Results show 9,943 tests and a 2.0 per cent positivity rate.
For more context see Nigerian actress seeks asylum in UK says fame risks her safety. The campaign links people who test positive to care immediately.
Testing campaign and results
The statewide drive moved across local councils and LCDAs since November 18. Trained counsellor-testers and test kits were deployed to many sites.
Dr Animashaun said community trust is vital for testing uptake and follow up. She praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for steady support to health services.
Officials said hard-to-reach areas and adolescents were most affected by the outreach pause. The agency urged partners to restart community work without delay.
The agency noted a drop in partner-funded outreach after a Stop Work Order. That pause reduced community visits to schools and youth centres.
Reasons for the drop and next steps
Animashaun said the Stop Work Order disrupted field teams and testing drives across Lagos. She said this hurt testing coverage for key groups and remote areas.
The agency plans to scale up community testing points and mobile clinics across LGAs. Health teams will also boost youth-focused outreach and key population services.
For related local coverage see Abia seals Tinubu campaign office over tax breach. The links show recent state-level public service actions across Nigeria.
World AIDS Day events include walks, a football match, religious programmes, and a symposium. The agency called for faith and community groups to help reach people and reduce stigma.
Dr Animashaun stressed testing is the gateway to prevention and treatment. She urged residents to use free testing points to know their status and access care.
