24.7 million people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa —Ogun commissioner

24.7 million people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa —Ogun commissioner 01.Dec.2014 Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta , Nigeria Tribune AS the world celebrates this year’s World AIDS Day, it has been made public that an estimated 24.7 million people are living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. This disclosure was made by the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Olaokun Soyinka, at a press conference held at the weekend, to herald the 2014 celebration. The theme of the celebration is: “Close the Gap: No more stigma and Discrimination.” Soyinka said efforts were on top gear to end AIDS epidemic by 2030, saying the essence of the celebration was to harness the power of social change in putting people first and close the gap. He noted that it was possible to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, by closing the gap between people who had access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services and people who were being left behind. ADVERTISEMENT He admonished care service providers across the country to always be abreast of best practices in the provision of HIV services, and to prevent the stigmatisation and discrimination of people living positively with the virus. The commissioner noted that stigmatsation and discrimination against those living positively was a major factor responsible for the unwillingness of people to access the free HIV counseling and testing service provided for people across the country, an action which he said, had continued to promote the spread of the epidemic virus. He stated further that the fear of stigmatisation and discrimination, had discouraged access to Anti-Natal Care (ANC) services, acceptance of Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT) interventions and inhibited the use of safer infant feeding practices. Speaking on government’s efforts to curtail the spread of the virus, the commissioner disclosed that the state had made provision for procurement of more drugs, to increase access of those who need them.ax