HIV/AIDS: 51% A/Ibom Population Don’t Know Their Status – Commissioner

The prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Akwa Ibom State has dropped from 6.5 per cent to 4.3 per cent following interventions by the state government.

However, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem Emmanuel John, expressed concern that the actual prevalence could be higher because 51 per cent of residents have not volunteered to be tested and screened to ascertain their HIV status.

John raised the concern during the August edition of the monthly Ministerial Briefing at Government House, Uyo, where he called for increased media advocacy and sensitisation, particularly among rural residents.

He advised people living with HIV who had lost hope and condemned themselves to death not to be afraid, saying the condition remained a health challenge like other ailments.

The commissioner said the free antiretroviral treatment currently available at major government health outlets could enable people living with the virus to continue living normal lives if they strictly adhere to the treatment.

John also warned people living with HIV who engage in deliberate transmission, saying those who claim that “before I die, I will spread to many people” should be aware that the virus has different strains and stages that could accelerate their deaths if they continue engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse with the intention of infecting others.

According to him, Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to health sector reforms has also resulted in progress in tackling other diseases through vaccination.

He recalled that measles vaccination coverage increased from 43 per cent in 2023 to 77 per cent in 2025, while malaria prevalence dropped from 30.46 per cent to 15.1 per cent between 2024 and 2026.

He said the HIV prevalence also fell from 6.5 per cent to 4.3 per cent, although roughly half of residents still do not know their HIV status.

John added that the interventions had contributed to a reduction in teenage pregnancy prevalence, which fell from about 19 per cent to eight per cent.

The commissioner also said the reforms had increased visits to General Hospitals across the state, rising from 68,000 in 2024 to more than 481,000 in 2025.

“This shows that Governor Umo Eno’s health insurance scheme is working for people who once stayed away for lack of money and are now able to access hospitals freely,” he noted.

Expressing delight at the success of the state of emergency declared in the health sector, John disclosed that more than 230,000 residents had enrolled in the Health Insurance Scheme within 18 months.

“The scheme has funded over 622,000 patient consultations. More than 3,400 women delivered vaginally at no cost. Nearly 1,900 caesarean sections were performed, with only one recorded mortality.

“2,950 eye-care reviews were carried out while the state insurance agency paid out over ₦690 million to health facilities last year alone,” he added.

John described the scheme as a shield against catastrophic health spending for every resident.