NACA screens 2,109 IDPs for HIV

NACA project coordinator, Dr Aminu Fikin, told newsmen: “We have so far screened 759 people in Nguru, 850 in Jakusko, 400 in Gashua, 400 in Yusufari and 250 in Jajimaji.“The IDPs were from Baga, Malum Fatori and Askira in Borno State, Michika, Uba and  Mubi in Adamawa State and Buni Yadi, Damaturu and Giedam in […]

NACA project coordinator, Dr Aminu Fikin, told newsmen: “We have so far screened 759 people in Nguru, 850 in Jakusko, 400 in Gashua, 400 in Yusufari and 250 in Jajimaji.
“The IDPs were from Baga, Malum Fatori and Askira in Borno State, Michika, Uba and  Mubi in Adamawa State and Buni Yadi, Damaturu and Giedam in Yobe State.”
Dr Aminu said 10 people in Nguru and 4 in Gashua tested positive and were referred for Anti Retroviral Therapy at the Federal Medical Center Nguru.
He said, “the project was targeting 6,000 people but, because there is no IDP camp in Yobe, most of the IDPs are staying with relations in individual houses in villages scattered across the state.
“We are also constrained by the difficult terrain to reach some of these villages” Aminu said.
Rakiya Sherrif, a healthcare provider told newsmen that the project embarked on intensive counselling to convince the IDPs to volunteer for the screening exercise.
“We had to provide some basic needs like treated mosquito nets, soap, detergents and other toiletries to woo them for the screening exercise.
“Most of them complained of assistance for food, beddings and clothing as their immediate needs and, there is the need for government, Non-Governmental Organizations and philantropic individuals to assist these displaced persons,” Rakiya said.
Ibrahim Dankanawa, spokesman of the Internally Displaced Persons, commended NACA for the screening to know their status and to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS.
“We however wish to appeal to government to come to our aid with food, clothing, bedding and, other healthcare needs.”
Similarly, Hauwa Usman, a widow and mother of six, urged other agencies to emulate the quick response demonstrated by NACA.
“If only other agencies will respond so quickly with food, clothes and beddings, our problems would be substantially addressed,” Hauwa cried.