The Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria, IHVN has said about 450,000 people in Nigeria are being treated for HIV/AIDS.
The institute in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS also pledged to support the Federal Government in the fight against non-communicable diseases in the country.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday, the institute’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Patrick Dakum said the support would be according to the national plan.
“Recently, we have commenced support in the area of cancer and we are supporting a number of hospitals to establish a cancer register which is a prelude in knowing the cases of cancer in the country.
“We have a partnership with the National Malaria Control Programme. We also partner with them in rolling out rapid diagnostic test for malaria.
“The institute is also involved in providing malaria treatment at community level. IHVN has also commenced focusing on non-communicable diseases,’’ Dakum said.
He also said the institute would provide intervention in tackling the issue of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, among other things.
Dakum said IHVN had placed on treatment no fewer than 100,000 of those infected with HIV/AIDS as part of efforts to curb the disease.
He observed that the issue of stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS has greatly reduced in our society.
“We are moving towards being part of the global community as regards getting the HIV/AIDS vaccine. We are not there yet, but we are on the right track,’’ he said.
