Health
Concerns as HIV prevalence soars in Akwa Ibom

Despite the aggressive enlightenment campaign by the government, as well as several donor agencies, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Akwa Ibom State remains high.
Akwa Ibom had in successive years maintained the number one position as a state with the highest burden of HIV in Nigeria, with 5.5%, according to Nigeria HIV/AIDs Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS).
The number one position, though infamous, has left much to be worried about.
Despite the aggressive enlightenment campaign by the government, as well as several donor agencies, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Akwa Ibom State remains high.
Akwa Ibom had in successive years maintained the number one position as a state with the highest burden of HIV in Nigeria, with 5.5%, according to Nigeria HIV/AIDs Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS).
The number one position, though infamous, has left much to be worried about.
According to Akwa Ibom State programme data 2022, about 240,000 persons are currently on treatment of HIV/AIDS in the State.
From the number, HIV gender disparity between females and males is high due to biological and social reasons showing that females are the worst hit.
“HIV prevalence was greatest among younger adults, with females aged 20-24 years (1.3%) having almost four times the prevalence of males in the same age group (0.4%).
“As at June 2023, 10,833 adolescents and young persons were on medications hence the need for positive living to ensure they adhere to viral suppression and epidemic control,” the survey revealed.
Dr Edith Mathias Igbemi said during a sensitization programme on HIV/AIDS in the state that women are recording high prevalence of HIV.
She called for more awareness on control measures.
She highlighted LGAs with high prevalence of HIV in Akwa Ibom to include Ikono, Obot Akara, Ikot Ekpene, Uyo, Uruan, Ibesikpo, Nsit Ubium, Eket, Ibeno and Oron.
Igbemi noted that the State had made some progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in terms of improved case finding through Index Case Testing, Camping and Creek Testing modalities.
She revealed that with the breakthrough recorded, the 2021 publication of Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, estimated that the prevalence rate had dropped to 4.4 per cent, adding that this is subject to approval by NACA in another survey.
She, however, called for more collaboration with Stakeholders and Development partners in escalating HIV prevention activities to adolescents and young girls in the State.
Speaking with Mrs Cecilia Ekanem, a health worker with ECEWS in the Primary Health Centre, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, she identified low access to antenatal care by some pregnant women as one of the factors contributing to the spread of HIV spread, especially from mother to child in the State.
She lamented that some HIV positive mothers most times out of ignorance or fear of stigmatisation failed to go to hospital for antenatal checkup and would end up giving birth to their babies at the Traditional Birth Attendants homes or churches without knowing the safety measures to adopt.
She harped on exclusive breastfeeding for all mothers, saying that it fortifies the baby against diseases, including HIV.
According to her, “we are working to reduce the level of HIV in the State.
“All the pregnant women who come here must be tested. Those who test positive are placed on medication and all of them who follow instructions have babies that are healthy and free of HIV because they are taking their medication.”
On whether HIV positive mothers can breastfeed their babies without transmitting the virus to them, Mrs Ekanem said: “yes, she can breastfeed her child but it must be done exclusively. The child can get infected if the mother introduces mixed feeding.
“So, it is advisable for the mother to stop breastfeeding entirely after six months of exclusive breastfeeding and continue with other family diets so that the child will not be malnourished and will not contract the virus.”
One of the persons living with HIV, simply Edikan, an undergraduate of the Akwa Ibom State University, during the sensitization programme, said he contracted the virus from his mother at birth.
He said he had lived with the virus for 24 years without any form of challenge, noting that HIV is not a death sentence.
He encouraged people to come out for tests and take positive action after knowing their status.
He admitted that People Living with HIV were experiencing a high level of stigma in the State.
He, however, vowed that he would not be deterred from achieving his dream despite the challenge.
To stem the tide of stigma, the Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDs (AKSACA), Dr Enobong Akpan called for domestication of the anti-stigma and discrimination law in the State.
Speaking with our correspondent on the efforts of the Agency in tackling HIV stigma in the State, he said “we are going to fight against every form of discrimination or stigmatisation.
“We are going to pursue the necessary laws, the anti stigma law and all the laws to make sure any organisation or institution found to stigmatise any HIV positive person will face sanctions.”
He also encouraged people living with the virus to eschew any form of self stigmatisation, describing it as the worst.
Dr Edith Igbemi, on her part, explained that stigmatisation was one of the factors driving the epidemic, especially amongst the young people, noting that a study revealed that 31.9% agreed that it was difficult to disclose their HIV status to people for fear of being stigmatised.
She said that females were more stigmatised than their male counterparts in the State, noting that the National Demographic Health Survey, NDHS, of 2018, reported that females experienced stigma more than men with a percentage of 61 per cent, while just 38 per cent of men reported stigma.
Also, Gideon Solomon of the Heartland Alliance identified lack of access to prevention materials, such as condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep) as part of factors increasing the spread of HIV in the State, adding that some persons have refused to go for HIV testing due to fear.
He said, “we observed that some people are scared to know their status. But I advise that they should go ahead and have their HIV personal test kit.
“It’s not only knowing your status, but knowing your status consistently following the prevention procedures religiously.
“We want to push the ‘know your status narrative’. If you know your status, what do you do, you go on Prep. If you are on pre-exposure prophylaxis, the chances of you being shielded from getting infected with HIV is 99.9 per cent,” he advised.
Health
Lagos Shuts Down YABATECH Sewage Plant Over Unauthorized Waste Discharge

The Lagos State Government has sealed the sewage and wastewater treatment facility at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) following allegations that the institution was discharging raw, untreated sewage into the environment in violation of state environmental laws.
The enforcement action was carried out by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), operating under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, after the college reportedly ignored multiple warning letters and failed to address long-standing environmental compliance issues.
Announcing the development, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that the college’s actions constituted a serious breach of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017. The law explicitly prohibits the discharge of untreated wastewater or sewage into public drains, canals, or any part of the natural environment.
“The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has sealed off the non-functional sewage and wastewater treatment facility of Yaba College of Technology due to its illegal discharge of raw sewage into the environment,” Wahab said in a statement.
He described the situation as a major public health risk, noting that untreated human waste contributes to the contamination of water sources, the spread of waterborne diseases, and general environmental degradation. Wahab emphasized that institutions, whether public or private, are not exempt from compliance with environmental laws and standards.
“Illegal discharge of wastewater not only endangers the health of residents but also undermines our efforts to maintain a sustainable, safe, and flood-resilient Lagos. The state government has zero tolerance for environmental infractions and will continue to enforce compliance,” the commissioner said.
#ZeroToleranceLagos Campaign
The sealing of YABATECH’s facility forms part of the state’s ongoing #ZeroToleranceLagos campaign—an initiative aimed at holding individuals, businesses, and institutions accountable for environmental violations. According to the Ministry, the campaign is designed to protect public health, improve environmental quality, and reduce pollution across Lagos.
Officials from the Wastewater Management Office said they had repeatedly engaged YABATECH’s management before resorting to enforcement. Technical guidance and timelines for achieving compliance were provided, but the institution allegedly failed to take corrective action.
Broader Enforcement Actions Across Lagos
In a related development, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has continued its crackdown on environmental violators across the state. On Thursday, the agency sealed 11 establishments in the Ikorodu area for various infractions, including persistent noise pollution, improper waste disposal, and failure to obtain necessary environmental permits.
The affected businesses include bars, hotels, lounges, and industrial facilities. Among those sealed are Zero Square Bar & Lounge, Limpex Resources, Starex Poly, Skipper Nigeria Ltd, NDO Hotel & Suites, Beechwood Guest House, Embassy Lounge, and A-Star Pencil.
The enforcement operation targeted several key areas in Ikorodu, such as Agodo Gas Line, Odogunyan Industrial Layout, Ita Oluwo Junction, Haruna, Ipakodo Road, and Ebute.
LASEPA stated that the crackdown is part of a broader effort to promote environmental responsibility and ensure that all sectors adhere to the state’s environmental protection framework.
Commitment to Sustainable Development
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to creating a healthier and more livable environment for its residents. Officials say that environmental compliance is central to the state’s climate resilience agenda and a critical step toward achieving its goals for a cleaner, greener Lagos.
Commissioner Wahab urged all public institutions, private companies, and individuals to align with the state’s environmental policies, warning that non-compliance would attract strict penalties, including fines, facility closures, and potential legal action.
“Lagos is committed to enforcing all existing environmental laws. Institutions must lead by example, and no one is above the law when it comes to protecting our environment,” Wahab added.
The situation at YABATECH serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of environmental negligence and the growing resolve of the Lagos State Government to ensure strict enforcement of environmental standards across the state.
Health
JUST IN: Doctors in FCT Commence Indefinite Strike Over Outstanding Issues

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration on Monday began an indefinite strike on Monday.
This was disclosed in a communique issued by the ARD-FCT on Monday, signed by its President, Dr. George Ebong, and General-Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong.
The association had embarked on a seven-day warning strike last Monday to press home its demands, following months of unresolved negotiations with the FCTA.
Details later.
Health
Overworked RSUTH Resident Doctor Slump, Dies on Duty
What happened is that he was on call in the Emergency Room. Afterward, he went to the call room to rest, and it was there that he died. Unfortunately, he was the only one attending to the patients.

Dr Oluwafemi Rotifa, a young resident doctor at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) collapsed and died after a gruelling 72-hour call duty.
Ohibaba.com reliably gathered that the deceased doctor, fondly called Femoski by colleagues, was a former President of the Port Harcourt University Medical Students’ Association, PUMSA, and was registered with the United Kingdom’s General Medical Council, awaiting placement abroad.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, Dr. Tope Osundara, who confirmed Rotifa’s death, said that the deceased doctor had been on continuous call duty for three days in the Emergency Room before he retreated to the call room to rest.
It was there that he slumped and later died, despite efforts to resuscitate him in the Intensive Care Unit.
“What happened is that he was on call in the Emergency Room. Afterward, he went to the call room to rest, and it was there that he died. Unfortunately, he was the only one attending to the patients.
“The overuse of manpower strained his health and led to this painful death. It was a death on duty,” Osundara lamented.
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