About 400,000 persons are living with the Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) in Rivers State, according to a university lecturer, Dr. Bassey Fiebai. Dr. Fiebai also decried the rising HIV cases among youths in the Niger Delta. Dr. Fiebai is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Port Harcourt.

The lecturer spoke during a health awareness campaign organised by an oil giant, Total E&P, in Eneka and Rukpokwu communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. Fiebai, however, decried the stigmatisation of those infested with the virus, despite repeated efforts by relevant agencies against such behaviour.

Quoting a figure by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Fiebai said about 34 million people are living with the disease worldwide, while over four million people were said to be infected with the virus in Nigeria. The lecturer disclosed that a recent study showed that eight percent of the figure in Nigeria (four million) were living with the virus in Rivers State, adding that that the prevalent rate in the Niger Delta is higher than the national figure.

Fiebia said: “According to the WHO, about 34 million people worldwide are living with the disease (HIV).

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