Number of people undergoing VCT increases in Harari State

Harar - The number of people who are undergoing Voluntary Counseling and Test (VCT) has increased in the Harari State, the State HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office said.

Office Head Dr. Abdurahman Ahmed told ENA recently that 577 more people underwent VCT this year than that of last year, which were 4,767.

He cited increase in the interest of people to have blood test and opening of VCT centres in six hospitals and health stations as the major factors for the rise in the number of people undergoing VCT.

Dr.Abdurahman said that PLWHA were also getting access to Anti-retroviral Drugs while treatment is provided against the transmission of the virus from mother to child.

He said the office has been offering training and undertaking HIV/AIDS intervention with 5.2 million birr provided by the World Bank, Global Fund and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

It is also providing financial and material support to AIDS orphans through Dawn of Hope, the national association of people living with HIV/AIDS and the Organization for Social Services of AIDS, he said.

Dr. Abdurahman said that the office has also been engaged in HIV/AIDS intervention activities at a cost of 14.3 million birr this year.



(ENA)