HIV Cases Rise from 18 to 24 in the North
“I would like to stress the need of focusing dissemination of information on what is HIV and not the figures because we need to change the mentality of our people.”
Friday 09 February 2024 | 14:10
The number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in the Northern Division from 2022 to 2023 has increased.
In 2022 there were 18 cases and last year 24 new cases were registered.
HIV is a virus that attacks the human being’s immune system.
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The statistics were revealed during a HIV Workshop for health care workers in Vanua Levu organised by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MOHMS) at Macuata House in Labasa yesterday.
From the first case reported in 1989 to 2022, the ministry registered more than 1600 HIV cases in the Northern Division.
Source: https://theconversation.com/
Patients increased?
Dr Turuva said these cases were across Vanua Levu.
“HIV does not discriminate - everyone and anyone is at risk; especially those in the key populations (high risk groups),” he said.
“Some of the reasons we noted as to how we managed to get the increased number of cases were through awareness, them coming forward to get tested for HIV and a few who got seriously ill and later found out that they have HIV.”
Dr Turuva encourage people to get tested as they continue to push for intervention and strategies instead of scaring people with figures.
They have also begun working with the media to create awareness, educate people and empower them to get tested.
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