By Peter Omopo
The Plateau State Government has revealed that the state recorded 2,786 new HIV infections and 460 HIV-related deaths in 2024. The disclosure was made on Monday by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, during the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration held in Jos.
World AIDS Day is marked annually on December 1, and this year’s theme is “Overcoming Disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response.”
Over 51,000 People Living with HIV in Plateau
Ba’amlong noted that as of September 2025, 51,370 residents of Plateau State were living with HIV, comprising 14,001 males and 33,055 females. He added that 47,056 adults and 1,835 children were currently receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
Between January and September 2025 alone, 98,403 people were screened, and 1,910 tested positive.
Progress in Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission
The commissioner reported improvements in the state’s response to preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. According to him, 30,743 pregnant women were tested during the period, and 39 who tested positive were successfully linked to care.
He said Plateau State had expanded HIV testing to over 900 health facilities, accompanied by increased awareness campaigns on prevention, early detection, and treatment.
Call for Stronger Community Engagement
Ba’amlong stressed the need for continuous community involvement and improved healthcare access. He also called for increased funding for research, innovation, and interventions that can strengthen the state’s HIV response.
He commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for approving funds used to procure HIV dual test kits, which have been distributed across health facilities in the state. Development partners were also acknowledged for their role in supporting HIV programmes.
PLACA: Plateau Achieves 92% Viral Load Suppression
The Executive Director of the Plateau AIDS Control Agency (PLACA), Mrs. Esther Turaki, said the state had achieved a 92% viral load suppression rate as of June 2025—an indicator of successful treatment outcomes.
She highlighted the importance of the HIV Domestic Resource Mobilisation and Sustainability (DRMS) Strategy, describing it as key to expanding funding sources and standardising ongoing efforts amid declining donor support.
Experts Call for Dedicated HIV Funding
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Chris Isichei urged federal and state governments to reduce reliance on external donors. He recommended establishing a dedicated HIV funding bank to ensure sustainable financing for testing, treatment, and prevention.
Isichei further encouraged the Plateau State Government to integrate HIV and AIDS treatment into its health insurance scheme, emphasizing that long-term sustainability depends on local investment.
The 2025 World AIDS Day event drew government officials, health workers, partners, and members of civil society, all advocating renewed commitment to ending the HIV epidemic in Plateau State and Nigeria at large.
