–Plateau records 1,910 new HIV cases in 9 months
Plateau State has recorded 1,910 new HIV-positive cases between January and September 2025 after screening 98,403 residents, according to Commissioner for Health Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday ahead of World AIDS Day 2025, he said that 1,859 of those who tested positive have already been placed on antiretroviral therapy (ART) across health facilities.
He also revealed that Governor Caleb Mutfwang had recently approved the release of funds for the procurement of HIV dual test kits, which have now been distributed to health centres to enhance testing.
Addressing the theme for this year’s commemoration, “Overcoming Disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,” Dr. Ba’amlong said the numbers show that HIV remains a major public health concern in Plateau State despite progress made over the years. He disclosed that in 2024, the state recorded 2,786 new infections and 460 HIV-related deaths. He added that Plateau currently has an estimated 51,370 people living with HIV, with 47,056 on ART as of September 2025, including 14,001 males and 33,055 females. Among children, 1,835 are receiving ART, 882 boys and 953 girls.
The Commissioner highlighted advances in preventing mother-to-child transmission, noting that 30,743 pregnant women were tested for HIV within the same nine-month period and that 39 who tested positive were immediately linked to treatment. He credited the steady decline in infections to expanded awareness campaigns, strengthened partnerships, and the extension of HIV testing services to over 900 health facilities, including faith-based institutions and traditional birth centres.
Dr. Ba’amlong also announced a national policy shift, confirming that the Federal Ministry of Health has approved reducing the age of consent for HIV testing and counselling to 14 years, a move he said would improve testing among adolescents, who remain highly vulnerable. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to scaling up treatment points, ensuring uninterrupted ART access, expanding youth-friendly services, ending mother-to-child transmission, combating stigma, and supporting research that improves prevention and treatment outcomes. He praised healthcare workers, NGOs, implementing partners and community groups for their efforts, urging them to remain steadfast. He also encouraged young people to prioritise prevention and early testing, and appealed to partners to sustain collaboration. “Together, we can build a healthier, stronger and more inclusive Plateau where everyone has access to health care,” he said.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the Plateau State AIDS Control Agency (PLACA), Mrs. Esther Turaki, joined other stakeholders at a church service held at St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church in Rayfield, Jos. Turaki, the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Dennis Mancha, and Ezekiel Afan from the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS all urged communities to fight stigma and discrimination. Turaki encouraged residents to take advantage of World AIDS Day on December 1 to get tested and commended the church for supporting people living with HIV. The priest called for continued prayers for those infected and affected by the virus.
