Five test positive for HIV among Borno displaced persons

Five persons have tested positive for HIV/AIDS as diseases hit the camps for Internally Displaced Persons in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Speaking to journalists in Maiduguri on Wednesday, the leader of a Non-Governmental Organisation, the Business and Professional Women, Dr. Ismaila Watila, explained that out of 1,000 people tested in the camp, five persons had been found HIV positive.


He said the 1,000 IDPs were screened for malaria and HIV/AIDS.

Watila said, “We are conducting free screening for IDPs on HIV, malaria and other disease conditions.

“The programme is being conducted by the Business and Professional Women in conjunction with the National Agency for Control of Aids and the SURE-P.”

He said the aim of the exercise was to find out the health status of the IDPs and to prevent the spread of disease among the people..

Watila added, “We started on Monday and so far, we have screened over 1,000 out of the 8,000 IDPs in the camp. Out of these, five have tested positive for HIV/AIDS.

“Statistically, the number appears insignificant as it represents just about 0.5 per cent of those screened.

“But as a doctor, I see the number as alarming, because it is a dangerous trend.”

He said the affected IDPs had already been counselled and referred for treatment.

“What we do usually is to treat those who test positive to malaria and other diseases immediately. Those who test positive for HIV/AIDS will be counselled and transferred to the State Specialists Hospital for proper medication,” he said.