By Katsina Times Newsroom
The fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS in Katsina State is yielding notable results, according to the Executive Director of the Katsina State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KATSACA), Dr. Nuhu Bala Kankia.
In an exclusive interview with Katsina Times, Dr. Kankia revealed that the state has witnessed a significant reduction in new HIV infections, attributing the progress to sustained public awareness campaigns and strong government backing.
"Unlike the past when the virus was spreading rapidly across communities, recent data shows a consistent decline in new cases," he said.
Dr. Kankia commended Governor Dikko Umar Radda, PhD, for his administration’s unwavering support towards improving public health, describing the governor as “deeply committed to the wellbeing of Katsina citizens.”
He noted that since the withdrawal of World Bank funding in 2014, KATSACA has been fully financed by the Katsina State Government, allowing the agency to maintain its operations without disruption.
According to him, approximately 30,000 people living with HIV/AIDS were receiving treatment under the agency’s care as of 2018. He credited ongoing sensitization campaigns and community outreach efforts for the continuous drop in new infections.
“All our services from testing to treatment are offered completely free of charge,” Dr. Kankia emphasized.
He also disclosed that the state government is currently working to procure advanced diagnostic equipment for HIV testing. This move, he said, will eliminate the need to rely on facilities in Kano for specialized diagnostic services.
A full version of the interview with Dr. Kankia will be published soon on all Katsina Times platforms.
