Niger Reports Sharp Drop In New AIDS Infections
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published December 02, 2018 | 01:57 AM
Niamey, Dec 1 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Dec, 2018 ) :The number of new AIDS infections in Niger dropped by more than two thirds between 2012 and 2016, the health ministry said Saturday, in a statement marking World AIDS day.
Health Minister Idi Illiassou said new infections in the four-year period under review fell from 6,000 to 1,761, a decline of 70 percent.
AIDS-related deaths in the country fell by 15 percent over the same period, according to Illiassou.
Between 2013 and 2017 patients receiving retroviral care rose from 11,182 to 17,122, he added with aid from partner states a factor in the country now boasting 73 screening centres from just one in 2003.
"The estimated annual number of deaths due to AIDS fell from 4,000 in 2012 to 3,400 in 2016 -- a drop of 15 percent," the minister also said.
HIV cases had stabilised at 0.4 percent of 15-49 year-olds since 2008 and that there were some 43,000 current sufferers nationwide.
At the same time, Illiassou regretted that "less than four percent of adults" had had voluntary screening in 2016.
Beset by widespread poverty and child malnutrition as well as a high incidence of malaria poverty-stricken Niger has generally focused on those issues first and foremost ahead of AIDS.
In October the government put nationwide malaria cases at 1,360,000 cases of malaria, with 1,584 deaths this year through to mid-September while Oxfam indicates malnutrition is the cause of almost half of all child deaths in the country.
Recent Stories
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
More Stories From World
-
Ukraine moves to bring military-aged men home to fight
40 minutes ago -
Asia hit hardest by climate change, extreme weather: UN weather agency
49 minutes ago -
Muscles and masterpieces: Louvre offers Olympic sport sessions
49 minutes ago -
Migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti leaving 16 dead
50 minutes ago -
UK Rwanda law sparks fear among migrants hoping to cross Channel
3 hours ago -
China issues highest-level rainstorm warning after deadly floods
3 hours ago
-
UK's Sunak announces raised defence spending, new Ukraine aid
3 hours ago -
Baby delivered from dying mother's womb in Gaza 'miracle'
4 hours ago -
Russia rejects US journalist Gershkovich's detention appeal
4 hours ago -
Prosecutors accuse Trump of 'willful' violations of gag order
5 hours ago -
French artist JR downsizes at Venice Biennale with Orient Express
6 hours ago -
Umrah & Ziarah Forum 2024: A gateway to enhance pilgrimage services in Holy land
6 hours ago