The chairman, Akwa Ibom State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA) Dr. Martin Akpan disclosed this Tuesday, in Uyo during an orientation interaction with a cross section of 2011/2012 freshers of the University of Uyo.
By this number of certified victims, the state ranks second on HIV/AIDS prevalent rate in the country, according to the chairman.
Dr. Martin said the rating calls for serious concern by every citizen of the state to curtail the spread noting that the state in the last two years was rated fourth in the country.
He maintained that the wild spread of the infection is not unconnected with the compactness of people in the state which fastens movement of people from one city to another.
Akpan who is a medical doctor by profession also noted that the attitude of residents even the elites towards the scourge was another major problem saying that people still see AIDS as witchcraft attack in most parts of the state.
The SACA chairman also reasoned the state being in the oil rich zone contributes to the spread of the ailment.
He however advocated for healthy living among the people living in the state.
Earlier, the state coordinator SACA, Dr Ako Akpabio advised that the fight against AIDS should not be left to only health workers rather everybody should be involved to curb its spread.
Akpabio charged parents not to shy away from educating their children and wards on early sex education.
“When the children are aware they will not involve themselves in illicit sex so I charge you to spread the information to our children,” he stated.
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