By Becky John
The Gombe State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (GOMSACA) said it had increased the number of Prevention of Mother Child Transmission (PMCT) centres from 185 to 225 in the state. The Project Manager of the agency, Dr Suraj Abdulkarim, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Friday that the centres were sited across the state.
He explained that the aim was to ensure that every pregnant woman that was tested positive access the services provided by the centre.
Abdulkarim said the agency had collaborated with non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations conducting advocacy in brothels to educate commercial sex workers on preventive measures against HIV and AIDS.
“They advise them on the need to use condoms as well as know their status,” he said.
The manager said that a bill on stigmatization against people living with HIV was pending in the State House of Assembly.
“We are made to understand that most people do not want to come for voluntary counselling and testing. “But it is very important to know your status, as well as the various preventive measures,” he said.
