Rivers State has officially overtaken Benue State as the state with the highest prevalence of HIV in Nigeria, according to the latest data released by health authorities.
The revelation comes from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), which noted a shift in the geographic burden of the virus based on recent surveillance and testing figures. While Benue has historically held the highest rates of HIV infections in the country, Rivers now leads in the number of reported cases.
Health experts attribute the spike in cases to several factors including high population density, increased urban migration, and limited access to consistent healthcare services in certain communities within the state.
NACA officials emphasized the need for continued awareness, prevention, and treatment programs, especially targeting high-risk populations. “We must double down on community-level testing, education, and access to antiretroviral treatment,” a spokesperson said.
The agency also called on state governments to invest more in public health infrastructure to curb the spread of HIV and other communicable diseases.
The new ranking underscores the evolving landscape of Nigeria’s fight against HIV and highlights the importance of maintaining robust, up-to-date data to inform health policy and interventions.
Leave a Reply